Development drive after end to cruel war - Agriculture Minister

The humanitarian operations conducted by the Security Forces under the direction of the President who is the Commander-in-Chief will end the cruel war which dogged the country for over two decades and lead the path to a vigorous development drive throughout the country, said Agriculture, Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara.

Minister Nanayakkara was addressing the gathering after inaugurating a Wap Magul ceremony at the Buttala Yudaganawa paddy tract under the Wellassa Udanaya development programme.

Nanayakkara said the Api Wawamu, Rata Nagamu agricultural development programme launched countrywide by the Government was making rapid progress with the active co-operation of all sectors including various institutions, media and the people. This was a good omen for peace and prosperity in the country.

Nanayakkara who noted that the country's per capita consumption of rice had decreased from 135 kilos to 95 kilos per annum said per capita consumption of wheat flour had increased by about 35 kilos per annum.

Consumption of imported wheat flour, sausages and sauce was detrimental to personal health and hygiene and the time had come for people to spurn such food items and get more accustomed to rice based food items.

Subsidiary Food Crops Development Minister Dharmadasa Banda, Nation Building Minister S. M. Chandrasena and Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Services Kapila Lanerolle also participated.