Sri Lankan government announce that it has launched a project funded by the Asian Development Bank to develop rural access roads and improve the livelihood of the rural masses. ADB funds were provided by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. The project to be implemented in the Ratnapura, Badulla and Monaragala districts aims to improve the quality of life of about 2,500 poor families in rural areas. The project will launch a livelihood development programme linked to the rehabilitation and improvement of about 200 km rural access roads in the project districts. It is aimed to provide self employment training for up to 2,000 unemployed persons.