WPC to forge ahead with novel plans

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The policy statement of the Western Provincial Council for the next five years was presented to the first session of the fifth Provincial Council of the Western Province yesterday.

WPC Governor Alavi Mowlana while presenting the policy statement before the Council, emphasized that the need of a Provincial Council system with broadly delegated powers within a unitary State, would be felt more in facing the challenges in an era of advancing peace. "Although the world economy is facing a recession, our plans as the Western Provincial Council is to assist our country's development as the foremost Provincial Council in the island by adopting novel strategies and providing more benefits to the people," Mowlana said.

He explained policies that were to be implemented for next five years mainly including the sectors of education, provincial administration, development of rural electricity, land, health, agriculture, industries, transport, housing and construction, tourism and food, cooperatives and trade affairs.

Mowlana said that while protecting the above policies and adopting the required statutes to delegate the powers of the Provincial Council and WPC will proceed as an exemplary Provincial Council.

He stressed that efforts will be taken to accomplish all the development programs within the targeted time periods as planned.