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Budget allocations should be used meaningfully for development - SP Governor

The ceremonial opening of the 5th session of the 4th Southern Provincial Council by the Governor of the Southern Province Kingsly T. Wickamaratne was held on January 28 at 8.30 a.m. at the Provincial Council Complex in Galle.

The opening was preceded by a guard of honour provided by the Southern Command of the Police, Army, Navy and the Air Force. Also present at this historic function, were members of all political parties, invitees, dignitatries, Secretaries and other officials.

Also for the first time, there was a mace made of pure silver, valued at Rs. 5 1/2 lakhs which was placed on the Speaker's desk.

Kingsley T. Wickramaratne, Governor delivered his policy statement for the year 2003. An extract of the Governor's policy statement.

"It is indeed a great pleasure and privilege to present the fifth policy statement of the 4th session of the Southern Provincial Council for the year 2003 with the expectation to mould a prosperous Southern Region under a unitary Sri Lanka where the path to peace and co-existence has been opened.

Since the establishment of the Southern Provincial Council under the 13th Constitutional Amendment, we have successfully conducted our activities for the past 14 years. We can be satisfied with the fulfilment of the responsibilities of our council in a country having a proud history of over 2,500 years.

We are aware of the problems and needs of the common people in this region which require urgent attention and remedy. It is our duty to find effective solutions for poverty, unemployment, wastage of resources, distribution of resources, imbalance and similar challenges. It is also our duty and responsibility to resolve these matters based on a democratic framework by identifying the available resources in the province.

The room to shift from the impact following the changes in social, cultural and economic sectors arising from globalization is very narrow as far as the third world countries like ours are concerned. Our determination should be to fully understand the situation and embark on development activities and to create a just society by maintaining sound financial discipline and enhancing the creative ability of the people of the Southern Province.

All of us should take responsibility to use the budget allocation of 7003 million rupees in a meaningful and useful manner for the development and welfare of our people.

Consequently, I hope all members representing various political parties would utilize their decentralised budgets towards the sectors with less funding specially to the sectors of environment and alternative energy, which I believe, are essential for the future development and welfare of the people of the Southern Province. A WebSite for the dissemination of information of the activities of the Ministers, members and the Provincial Council will be set up in the future.

Due to the limitation of funds in the area of capital expenditure it is a difficult task in realizing our goals. But I have no doubt the determination, hard work, and dedication of our members of the Council representing all political parties would help make the year 2003 a successful one. I take this opportunity to table the document containing the detailed policy statements in Sinhala, Tamil and English".

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