|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 11 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| President assures peace, development and prosperity by Ranil Wijayapala President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday pledged her Government's commitment to do everything possible to improve the living standard of the people, to usher permanent peace and develop the country if only they could bear the present increase in the cost of living thrust on them due to soaring fuel prices in the world market. President Kumaratunga said the increasing oil prices in the world market has put the Government into a financially difficult position as it had to shoulder a loss of between Rs. 1500 million to Rs. 2000 million per month to subsidise the increase in the oil prices. "If people bear this burden individually it will amount to an additional Rs. 300 per month", President Kumaratunga said. Speaking at the ceremony to hand over 'Derana' land deeds offered by the Land Reforms Commission to the people at Siyane College of Education, Veyangoda President Kumaratunga said the Government is not ready to suspend development work, providing free health and education or to cut off Samurdhi benefits to face this situation as was done during the UNF regime. She said following the Iraq war the price of oil in the world market has shot up to the highest ever levels and it was not the United States suffer, but, small countries like Sri Lanka. President Kumaratunga said the Government was prepared to put the suspended development work back on track despite the UNP's claim that the Government does not have any funds to launch any of these development programmes. President Kumaratunga said the people should think of the country before self and should work effectively to face this crisis changing their attitudes and without being misled by rumours. She also said the government has taken every possible step to put the peace process back on track to usher permanent peace in the country. "So people should bear this burden thinking of the betterment of the country", President Kumaratunga added. Govt's majority may increase soon - President The present majority of the Government in Parliament may very soon rise from 116 to 124, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said yesterday. She rejected the allegations that there was conflict within the United People's Freedom Alliance Government and added that there was no problem between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna as claimed by the United National Party. She said the Government intends to introduce Electoral Reforms to change the present unfair electoral system while ensuring the representation of minority parties in Parliament. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
