Government will win PC elections - Minister. G.L. Peiris

The Government would work this year on the foundation already laid in 2008 to rid the country of terrorism and bring peace in the new year, said Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G.L. Peiris.

He also said that although many countries today were facing hardships, Sri Lanka had been fortunately spared the worst effects of such economic downturns due to the prudent economic policies followed here. He was speaking to the press in Kandy after calling on the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters to enlighten them on the Action Programme of the Government for the year 2009.

He also pointed out that though massive sums of money were being spent on the current war effort in the North, the Government had not abandoned any development programme as a result.

He said that funds had already been allocated for the provision of education and health services and for other programmes such as Maga Neguma, Gama Neguma and Gami Diriya. In addition projects such as Uma Oya, Kerawalapitiya, Moragahakande and Sapugaskande were also to be allocated funds.

Answering queries raised by reporters, Prof. Peiris said that even earlier, doubts were expressed on the ability of the Government to win at the Provincial Council elections held at North-Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

But as it turned out, the Government was able to win with massive majorities and Prof. Peiris said that if such elections had been conducted on the first past the post system, the Opposition would have been hard-pressed to win even a single seat.

Even in the case of the GSP+ Tax concession, those who very boldly announced its withdrawal, were now finding it difficult to swallow their own words.

At their discussions with the Minister, the Mahanayakas brought to his attention, the need of a programme to guide the farmers of this country towards using carbonic fertilizer instead of chemical varieties.