Fertiliser subsidy extended to tea smallholders- Media Minister Lakshman Yapa

P. P. G. Sugathadasa Thihagoda group corr.

The Government has taken the initiative to extend the fertiliser subsidy to tea smallholders as well despite the heavy expenditure on the conflict in the North, Information and Mass Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said.

He was speaking at a ceremony at Morawaka, recently.

Durable peace and sustainable economic prosperity would be the greatest need of this hour for Sri Lanka in the face of financial crisis of America, he said.

The prime aim of the President and his administration is not a military solution but a negotiated political settlement to the present crisis. The LTTE leader should understand this reality even at this moment, he said.

Massive efforts are being made for the infrastructural development in undeveloped, remote areas under the Gama Neguma, Maga Neguma and Jathika Saviya development projects of the Mahinda Chintana concept. Liberation of the North from the terrorists is imminent, he said.

Agitations on petty political ideologies cannot be approved at a time when the Government is making important decisions, the Minister added.

Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Pemasiri said despite numerous obstacles, Sri Lanka is heading for peace and socio-economic revival under the statesmanship of the President.

The present administration has not neglected development activities, he said. Southern Provincial Member and SLFP Chief Organiser for Deniyaya Wijaya Dahanayake and several others also spoke.

Wheel chairs, chairs and crutches, to disabled persons and dictionaries to students were distributed under the Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana's patronage.