"Masses should cooperate with President"

by Milton Dharmasinghe in Bulathsinhala

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka said in Ingiriya in the Horana electorate that the Treasury would Ok any systematic, practical and profitable development project that aimed at the economic development and development of masses in the country.

He was addressing a meeting held at Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat recently on the occasion of presentation of 'Sipdora Scholarship to 76 students from low income group families in the Horana electorate.

The meeting was organised by Samurdhi Development Authority, Ingiriya Secretariat Division with the assistance of donors in the area. Premier also said, "New President Mahinda Rajapakse has taken steps to create a decent country with good ethics. At the initial stage he has started a drive to expel drugs and alcohol from the country for this won overall support of the people and he can't do if alone.

"It is a challenge to alleviate poverty from a country. So in order to do so, a series of activities has to be put into practice. For this, assistance of able people required.

"People's budget was presented to the Parliament by the President, according to Mahinda Chinthana." In order to put these proposals into operation, masses should cooperate with him. Any development projects that help to develop the country and the masses would be approved by the Treasury and must be carried out to achieve the objectives. President uphold the responsibilities of solving the problem in the North with the support of all political parties.

Minister of Samurdhi Development and Poverty Alleviation Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said, 'The project 'Sipdora Scholarship presentation to poor students is operated without any government funds. Each student is given Rs. 3,000 for their education annually, with the financial assistance of donors in each electorate.

We have planned to provide scholarships to 5,979 poor students between 5-7 years of ages in the country and it has been a complete success as Samurdhi Development Officers put their heart and soul in the attempts of making the project a success.'

'Programmes as Jana Pubuduwa, Self-Employment Project and Samaja Araksana Project have become complete success and we were able to do satisfactory job of work for all. Under the Mahinda Chinthana. Samurdhi Development Authority has already decided to double the amount of allocations for Jana Pubuduwa Self Employment ventures and Samaja Arakshana Projects from next year.'

"Special attention will be drawn to the development projects have been planned for Horana from next year," she added.

Vidura Wicramanayaka, Chief SLFP organiser for Horana, D. Haputanthri, Assistant Commissioner of Samurdhi, Kalutara, S. Hapuarachchi, Acting District Secretary, Kalutara, Y. Chaminda, Pradeshiya Sabha Member, Horana PS also spoke.