With the Gamperaliya programme, the government has allocated the largest sum of money in the history of Sri Lanka for development. 

"The Gamperaliya programme will transform Sri Lanka into a  developed nation," Samaraweera said addressing the launch of a development project in Matara today. 

"Under the programme," the Minister said," Rs. 200 million has been granted to each Divisional Secretary area."

"Not more than three vehicles travel in an hour on some of the newly constructed roads in Hambantota. Instead of allocating money for white-elephant projects, we have decided to find solutions to some burning problems at the grassroots level. That's the difference in development then and now," he said.

"Without making the rich richer, we have chosen to empower the villages," he added.