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by Kataragama group correspondent

The jak planting program started by 'Lake House' is a timely. In a food shortage the jak tree can be regarded as a tree which gives food to the people. This program started by the media giant in our country should be an example to other public and private institutions in the country, said Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jayasuriya.

He was speaking to the Viharadhipathi of Kirivehera Raja Maha Vihara and Chief Sanghanayake of Ruhunu Magam Pattu Ven. Dr. Aluthwewe Soratha Thera, after paying homage to Ashtapala Bodhi at Kataragama. Ex-chairman of Lake House Lukshman Jayawardane, and several government high officials participated along with the minister.

The Minister said that the Prime Minister is interested in restoring the ancient Gal Amuna dam across the Menik Ganga. He said that once this project was over the farmers of Kataragama will be able to cultivate their paddy fields in both seasons.

When Ven. Soratha Thera informed the minister about the faulty electrical lighting system in Kataragama sacred city the minister promised to temporarily repair it for the forthcoming Esala festival and a new lighting system will be started in January 2003.

Minister Jayasuriya said that they took over an empty treasury and they have to solve the problems of the people as well as the interest for the loans by the previous regime from foreign countries.

Mr. Jayasuriya said that the program of the Lake House to plant 100,000 jak trees will be converted to a house to house campaign to plant one million jak trees. This is in preparation to face the world food shortage expected in year 2005.

The prelate said that the people of Kataragama have to depend on the pilgrims for their daily bread. So the government must take steps to accelerate the work of the ancient Gal Amuna project for the sake of the peasantry in the area. 

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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