Chamal completes two decades of service

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

There was an era when the administration of the district was handled by Mudaliyars and Muhandirams, said Irrigation and Water Management, Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa at Suriyawewa town hall.

He was addressing the meeting that marked the completion of the Hiru Negena Giruwaya Social Service program to conclude with his completion of 20 years service to the people organised by the Southern Development Authority (SDA) and assisted by International Lions Club 306 A2.

The Minister said that during that era Tangalle's administration work was handled by Jayawareda Mudali of Galle. The administration was carried out while residing at Wasala Walawwa Tangalle.

He said, that was an era when villagers were harassed and led miserable lives. People engage in agricultural activities for a livelihood.

That was an era when the caste system prevailed and lower caste people were prohibited from wearing any garments above their waists.

The Minister said the late D.M. Rajapaksa stood in favour of the less fortunate downtrodden masses. He held a meeting, summoned the harassed sector of people and dressed them with garments above their waists and took them in a Perahera.

He said that members of the Rajapaksa family including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, George Rajapaksa and himself and others in the family followed in the footsteps of the Late DM and DA Rajapaksa.

The Minister said D.A. Rajapaksa set up schools every three miles, 328 schools were set up then.

He said that the State is enhancing the electricity supply be cause it is a catalyst for progress.

Ihala Kotmale and Norochcholai are being implemented to make this a reality.

The Minister said plans are afoot to divert the water of Nilwala and Gin ganga to Hambantota district.

Chairman and Director General SDA Ranjith Gunasekera in his welcome speech said that the services of Rajapaksas' from times immemorial will be written in letters of gold in the future history.

He said that the SDA was a defunct institution when he took over. It was made active by the Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa.

District Secretary Hambantota said that the State is indulging in development activities while engaging in the war.

SPC Minister V.K. Indika said that Rajapaksas' represented the less fortunate downtrodden masses.

Mrs. Chandra Rajapaksa, Secretary to the of Social Services Minister Anil Kumarasinghe and SDA District Director D.D. Ariyasena were present.