Unity marks 61st Independence- Minister Dinesh Goonewardene

This year's Independence is celebrated under one flag. In the previous years we celebrated Independence while the Tiger flag fluttering in Killinochchi, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Goonewardene said.

The Minister was addressing a public rally at the Kobaigane Karapitiya Temple in Kurunegala, recently.

The President continues the work amidst coup initiated by internal and external forces.

"Our Forces have entered Mulaitivu. We bear a heavy expenditure on the war. The President has not forgotten the village. He developed the village. When the conflict is over, development and the economy have to boom," the Minister said.

The expenditure on the war can be diversified for development in rural areas. The UPFA can win the provincial elections. However, the victories have to be strengthened, he added.

"Our soldiers are sacrificing their lives and it is our duty to commit to the cause for which they gave their lives. If we remove this preferential voting system the country will have a good future", he added.

The problem of drinking water in the North Western Province has been attended to. The Nikaweratiya Water Supply Scheme is nearing completion under President's directions. The new members of the North Western Provincial Council will have to face more challenges in the next five years. People should vote carefully to honour our soldiers, he added.

The conditions in Nikaweratiya and Kobaigane in the North Western Province is very unsatisfactory, said the organiser of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna for Nikaweratiya Navaratne Kandegedera. Chief incumbent of the Kuttapitiya Viharaya Timbiriwewa Sumanawansa and MEP Chief Secretary Dissanayake also spoke.

Meanwhile, Minister Goonewardene opened the multipurpose T.B. Tennakoon Memorial Complex at Galewela constructed at a cost of Rs. 93 million. Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon also participated. This project completed under the Greater Dambulla Development plan under the Urban Development Ministry.

This multipurpose complex at Rangiri Dambulla is named by the late T.B. Tennakoon a pioneer of the 1956 Revolution. We have a responsibility to continue the struggle, Minister Gunawardene observed.

Under this project, the Galewela area is getting grain storage facility for farmers, road ways, new bus terminal, trade centre and parking facilities in Dambulla.

Trade, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardene said the people are fortunate to benefit from the development work of their nature in spite of the colossal expenditure spent on wiping out terrorism.

Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and Urban Development Minister Rohana Dissanayake also spoke.