Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu averted food crisis - President

Chaminda PERERA

The Api Wawamu – Rata Nagamu program launched by the Government three years before, helped cushion the impact of the global food crisis in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The President was speaking at the annual national convention of the Sri Lanka Agriculture Research and Production Assistants’ Association at Temple Trees yesterday. These officers were appointed to the Agrarian Services Centres islandwide to increase domestic food crop production in the country.

The Association donated a cheque for over Rs. 1.2 million for the Api Wenuwen Api fund and the cheque was presented to President Rajapaksa by the Association’s President H.M. Navaratne Herath. Over 50,000 exercise books were also presented to the President to be distributed among schoolchildren in welfare camps in the Vavuniya district.

President Rajapaksa said the Government foresaw the looming food crisis and implemented a comprehensive food production drive in the country three years before with the support of agriculture research and production assistants. He said the Government is committed to create a better environment for the people of all communities to live in peace.

“The Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu program has recorded tremendous success through sheer dedication and commitment showed by the Agriculture Research and Production Assistants.

He said these officers pioneered the food production drive which freed the country of starvation. The Association presented a special memento to the President in recognition of his service in the elimination of terrorism from the country. The memento was presented to the President by the Association’s Treasurer Royal Vijitha Silva. Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Finance and State Revenue Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya were also present.