|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 02 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
by Karunaratne Amaratunge President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who was in Galle on Sunday to participate in the handing over of the conserved Dutch Reformed Church to the Church authorities later paid a surprise visit to the village of Akmeemana Kanda in Poddala. The village situated in a very difficult area which was taken unawares by the President's visit was already in a festival mood preparing to celebrate the commissioning of a pipe borne water supply scheme which had ended years of agony encountered by its residents in carrying water uphill from the valley below for their basic needs. There was a well laid table in a corner and some women were baking kevun and other sweetmeats while others were beating the rabana when the President walked in unannounced. The plight of the Akmeemana Kanda residents who had to carry water uphill for their basic requirements was highlighted by our sister paper 'Dinamina' in July this year. The President who drew her quick attention to the report immediately directed officials of the Human Disaster Management Committee to provide a water supply scheme to the village and allocated money from the President's Fund for the project within 99 days a new pipe borne water scheme costing Rs. 1.8 million was in place in the village. On Sunday the villagers had planned to celebrate the occasion by organising a special ceremony when the President visited to personally witness the fruition of the water scheme. The President who first visited the village temple offered a tray of flowers handed over by Ven. Hiniduma Chandananda Thera at the 'Buduge'. Thereafter, she visited almost every home in the village and spoke to the inmates and inquired after their well-being. She also shared some pleasantries with the women baking sweetmeats and beating the rabana. Later the President joined the people in enjoying kevun, kiribath and other sweetmeats by taking a plate and serving herself. Ven. Hiniduma Chandananda Thera in a brief anusasana said the water problem of the residents had been resolved due to the intervention of the President and they were extremely happy to see her in their midst on that day when the water supply scheme was being commissioned. President Kumaratunga in a brief address said she came to know about the water problem of Akmeemana Kanda residents through the 'Dinamina'. Soon after reading the report she ordered immediate action to solve the problem. She was delighted to see the water supply scheme completed within a short period. The President said, "I entered politics with a firm resolve to serve the people rather than for personal aggrandizement. Air, water and land are three vital requirements of mankind. Man cannot achieve anything without these three basic requirements. Provision of water to a village is an enjoyable service. That is why I paid an unofficial visit to this village to share the joy of its residents." The President also thanked 'Dinamina' and journalist Jayantha Kalyananda for highlighting the water problem of the residents. Executive Director, Human Disaster Management Committee Sarath Chandravithana also spoke. ANCL Chairman Janadasa Pieris and former Minister Dr. Richard Pathirana and Lakshman Jayakody were also present on the occasion. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
