|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 18 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| One million govt. servants to get salary raise: I will lessen your burdens by January 1 - President From Ranil Wijayapala in Nawalapitiya President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga expressed optimism yesterday that the Government will be able to lighten the people's burdens by January through the increase of salaries of more than one million government servants and through the steps taken by the government to reduce the prices of essential goods. Addressing a public meeting held in Nawalapitiya to coincide with the launch of the Sanwardhana Sangrama Programme in Nawalapitiya, President Kumaratunga said the salaries of government servants will be increased through the maiden budget of the UPFA Government. "The salaries of government employees will be increased by a considerable amount through the budget proposals as anticipated," President Kumaratunga added. She said the Government has already taken temporary measures to reduce the prices of essential goods in the wake of soaring oil prices in the world market. The President added that the provision of 40,000 jobs to unemployed graduates will also have an impact towards lessening the burdens of the people. President Kumaratunga opened a three-storeyed building constructed at a cost of Rs. 90 million at the Nawalapitiya hospital prior to the public meeting organised by Power and Energy Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to mark the launch of the Sanwardhana Sangrama Programme in Nawalapitiya. A number of projects including a Rs. 1.1 billion drinking water project for Nawalapitiya and 60 rural electrification projects were launched yesterday to expedite the infrastructure development in the area through the Sanwardhana Sangrama Programme initiated by the President. President Kumaratunga said people should join hands with the Government for developing the country without blaming the government for increased prices of essential goods. "People can see that this government is taking steps not only to cushion the cost of living but also to develop the country," she added. She said from 1994 the Governments led by her has fulfilled more than 50 per cent of its task and appealed the public to extend their support to the Government to complete the remainder. President Kumaratunga said the most outstanding achievement under her leadership was the creation of an environment free of terror and a society where basic human rights are protected. She said due to this environment her Government was able to initiate discussions with even a terrorist group to usher permanent peace in the country. She added that the peace process has come to a stage where both parties cannot move out of the negotiation table. "What we have to do is to push the process from the current stagnated position towards negotiations," President Kumaratunga added. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
