|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 2 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| A new Govt. under President's leadership to alleviate hardships of the masses will be set up - Reginold Cooray Wadduwa special correspondent "I took over the Provincial Council of the Western Province when there was a majority of Members of the Opposition, but due to the co-operation extended by the members I was able to continue as the Chief Minister for three years and during my tenure of office. I have rendered a valuable service in the field of education." This was stated by the Chief Minister of the Western Province Reginold Cooray addressing the local correspondents of Kalutara District at Kalutara. M. J. Somasiri the Leader of the Opposition of Kalutara PS welcomed the gathering. Addressing the media, he stressed that the Western Province is the most important Province in the island with 1,390 schools and the school going population is about ten lakhs of children and 37,000 teachers. Among the three districts in the Western Province Kalutara District records the lowest population and also in development. "I have given special preference for the development of Kalutara District as it has been backward when compared with other two districts, I have allocated Rs. 360,867,114 specially for education in Kalutara District and completed 733 projects in the year 2002/2003. The over-crowding in schools have been minimised and I have provided new buildings to almost all the schools, sports materials and other school equipment. A massive amount of Rs. 1,631,705,000 have been spent for road development projects, too." He said further that special attention has been paid to develop the schools in Agalawatta, Bulathsinhala and Matugama electorates as there are many undeveloped schools. He also stated there is a problem of closing some of the undeveloped schools due to urbanisation, lack of facilities and decrease of population but he has taken steps to reduce the number of Year 1 classes in popular schools and also to upgrade the standard of surrounding schools. The new method has greatly benefitted to admit children to surrounding schools where there are teaching equipment. Speaking about the forthcoming general election he assured that under the leadership of President a new government would be set up to alleviate the hardships face by the ordinary masses and the government was dissolved at the request of the masses. He also assured that the problems faced by the local correspondents, who are the backbone of any newspaper would be solved and their status would be upgraded and recognition given to their national service. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
