Action against those who obstruct development work

Sanjaya Asela Maturata Asela kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

KANDY: There is a world of difference between Parliamentary membership and thuggery. Being a Parliamentarian should not be considered as an open licence to engage in thuggery, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The President who made this observation at the Kandy District Development Committee meeting at President’s House, Kandy on Thursday, said he had directed law enforcement authorities to implement the law to the letter against anyone who tried to obstruct common development work disregarding his or her powers or position.

The President made this observation when a problem which had cropped up regarding a water supply scheme in Gangawata Korale Pradehsiya Sabha area due to certain obstructions caused by a Pradeshiya Sabha member was raised at this meeting.

President Rajapaksa said a national policy should be drawn up regarding measures to prevent pollution of water sources without resorting to ad hoc measures whenever such problems occurred at regional level.

He said contamination of the water sources had been the main cause for the recent hepatitis epidemic in the Gampola area.

Therefore toilet facilities should be provided to the 100 houses round Paradeka area immediately before thinking of a long term plan.

The President said he hoped to declare a 500 metre belt on either side of the Mahaweli Ganga banks as a reservation and bring in legislation soon to prevent pollution of water sources.

He hoped to strengthen Provincial Councils economically and technically to enable them streamline health and sanitation activities under their purview.

He said part of the World Bank funding allocated for the Central Province water supply scheme stage II project could be utilised for this purpose.

The President hoped to find a quick solution to the garbage problems encountered by local councils in the Kandy area.

Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Water Supply and Drainage Minister A. L. M. Athaulla, Highways Minister T. B. Ekanayake, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and other people’s representatives and officials attended the meeting.