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| Tuesday, 30 November 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Ronnie de Mel presented 12 budgets but was unable to do anything for the country - Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda by J. Gunadasa Jayawickrema - Galewela Group Correspondent After presenting the 2005 Budget of the UPFA Government we, the members of the Government have left nothing for others to say. The UNP has been dumbfounded. No loop-holes have been left for them to criticize. I have read 25 budgets in the past. Ronnie de Mel presented 12 budgets; but he was not able to do anything useful to the country. The black money hidden by the people running betting centres as well as shuttle business will be flushed-out. By removing VAT from the essential items the farmers have been encouraged to engage in agricultural activities with new hopes for the future. Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda made the above statement at a public meeting held at Dambulla. The Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new building complex to accommodate Dambulla Divisional Secretariat which is being run at the inadequate old building with a lot of inconveniences. Rs. 275 millions has been allocated under President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathungha's 'Battle of Development' from the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs. Prior to the Pubic meeting the Minister participated in the inauguration ceremony conducted to build a new open-air theatre in memory of late Cultural Affairs Minister T. B. Tennakoon in close proximity to the Dambulla Divisional Cultural Centre. A very spacious make-shift hall was constructed to accommodate the very large crowd who attended the meeting irrespective of the downpour throughout the day. Posts, Telecommunication and Up-Country Development Minister D. M. Jayarathne, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanaike, Members of the Central Provincial Council W. M. Yasamana, L. D. Nimalasiri and Sarath Wijesinghe, Matale District Secretary K. Udagedara, Dambulla Divisional Secretary Chandra Herath also participated in the meeting. Speaking further the Minister added: The three-wheelers will be benefitted with the tax reduction and the low income people in return could hire this poor men's vehicle at affordable charges. It woud take several hours to explain the benefits introduced to the people by the maiden budget of the new UPFA Government. Dambulla is the very important city next to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya is a national heritage. The present Government has taken special interest to develop this area as a tribute to late Minister T. B. Tennakoon, who represented Dambulla 21 years in the Parliament. The new Secretariat would co-ordinate this development strategy very efficiently once it is commissioned in the near future. |
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