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Budget long term oriented, with accent on development- Minister Attanayake

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy South group correspondent

People who are opposed to the budget, normally expect a salary increase for public servants and others some instant relief through the budget and it is normally regarded as a document which provides instant relief, but they do not have long term benefits and is not development-oriented. But this year's budget has long term interest and has been planned with an accent on development and to revive the economy of the country with long term results, said the Minister of Central Region Development Tissa Attanayake.

He was addressing the residents of Medhamahanuwara after an inspection tour of the old royal city to carry out improvements and to provide better facilities for the area.

Minister Attanayake said the budget will bring about immense benefit to the people through development and has been presented for the welfare of the people and will rectify the mistakes of the past budgets and resuscitate the economy which is the prime aim of the budget.

He said that Medhamahanuwara is steeped in history and has been the Royal Refuge of the last King of Kandy Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. It is here the last King often took refuge when there was fear of invasion of the city of Kandy until he was captured here in 1815.

Subsequently with the opening up of the plantations by the foreign rulers, Medhamahanuwara became a business centre and was frequented by both the villagers and the plantation workers. But due to congestion and for other reasons, the town cannot be developed in keeping with the present trend and as a result modern amenities cannot be provided. Therefore the road in the town must be broadened which will resultantly give a new look to the town when old and antiquated buildings give way to new ones.

Also gracing the occasion were Provincial Council member D. M. Karunaratne Banda, Teldeniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Chandra Ekanayake and member Dickson Gunawardena and government officials.

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