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Protest campaigns a drawback to development- Deputy Minister

by Ananda Kannangara

Rural Economy and Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunawardena said on Friday that numerous protest campaigns being conducted by people in the country to show their agitation over the commencing of new development projects has immensely affected our development activities.

"Protesting over the constructing of super highways by residents in many parts of the country is a fine example for this" Minister Gunawardana said.

He made these observations at a conference held in Colombo to mark the 53rd national day of the People's Republic of China. The Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Co-operation organised the conference.

The Minister also highly commended the speedy economic development achieved by several Asian countries including the People's Republic of China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and many other countries whose economic status was below Sri Lanka several decades ago.

"Therefore, people in our country must focus their attention towards development activities carried out by governments rather than protesting over their properties by stopping the construction work of important projects".

At this juncture, the Minister requested the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka to take a group of Sri Lankans to his country to witness the success of super highways. Minister Gunawardana also said that high interest rates, charged by state banks on loans taken by customers must be reduced according to the current economic situation in the country, so that many people will be engaged in economy development projects.

A commemorative speech was also delivered by the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Juan Ching. A special award was also presented to the widow of R. G. Senanayaka for tireless efforts made towards the development of friendship between the two countries.

The awards presentation for the winners of the competition on "Chinese International Radio and Sri Lanka", held by the Chinese International Radio was also held at the Maheweli Centre Auditorium on September 24 at 3.00 pm.

Meanwhile, a photo exhibition under the theme "Towards Beijing in the year 2000" was also conducted at the Public Library Auditorium on September 27 at 10.30 am under the patronage of Buddha Sasana Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara.

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