UPFA would fulfil people's wishes - Minister Anura

Attanagalla special correspondent, Jayaweera Sugathapala

DESPITE the tsunami, the unexpected rise in world oil prices and UNP's predictions that the government is about to fall, the UPFA would go steadily ahead in its task of upholding people's mandate, Industries, Investment Promotion and Tourism Minister, Anura Bandaranaike said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the rural infrastructure development program at Alawala in the Attanagalla electorate on Sunday (03).

The Minister laid the foundation stone for the proposed bridge over Attangalu Oya at Alawala and a government medical centre for the area.

He also opened newly tarred two roads at Pelpita and Angantenna areas.

The meeting was held at Alawala Maha Vidyalaya Grounds. Alawala Potgul Len Viharadhipathi, Ven. Kamburawala Vajira Thera administered pansil.

Minister Bandaranaike said that unlike the UNP government which worked for the benefit of their henchmen the Alliance Government had started development programs for the benefit of rural masses.

In spite of the high costs involved, the government is committed to fast tracking the rural infrastructure development programs, he said.

He noted that Alawala-Galapitamada main road will be broadened and developed at a cost of Rs. 92 million.

"We will do more for you in the years to come. During the past three months we have been able to complete Rs. 8m cost development projects in Alawala village itself and it could have been more if not for the tsunami, Minister Bandaranaike stated.

He also stated that it is the JR's Constitution which stands against development. This anti-democratic constitution must be amended, he said.

Minister added that a recent survey by a publicity firm recognised President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as the first among politicians to understand the aspirations of common masses. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was fifth in the list.

Despite UNP's predictions that the government is about to fall the Alliance Government would go steadily ahead in its task of upholding people's mandate, Minister Anura Banadaranaike observed.

Deputy Minister of Highways, T. B. Ekanayake said the Alliance Government had fulfilled a large number of its election pledges within the first year.

We recruited 41,000 graduates to the public service.

"Action will be taken to provide employment to O/L and A/L qualified youth too, he said.

Western Provincial Council's Highways Minister, Duleep Wijesekera, Health Minister, Prasanna Ranatunge, Provincial Councillor, Varuna Deeptha Rajapaksa also spoke.