Happy to serve Southern masses - SP Chief Minister

Mahinda P. Liyanage Galle Central special corr.

Shan Wijayalal De Silva, assumed duties as the Southern Province chief Minister yesterday for the second consecutive term at the Chief Ministry with religious rites given prominence.

Members of the Maha Sangha led by Southern Province Chief Sanghanayaka Ven. Pallaththara Sumanajothi Nayaka Thera participated.

The Chief Minister at the same occasion assumed duties as the Southern Province Finance, Planning, Law and Order, Transport, Water Supply and Drainage, Electricity, Engineering Service, Health, Indigenous Medicine and Local Government Minister.

Following the assumption of duties, the Chief Minister addressing the gathering said it was a great fortune and blessing for him to act as the Southern Province Chief Minister at a time President Mahinda Rajapaksa leads the country.

"President Rajapaksa has won the hearts of all Sri Lankans. As the Chief Minister I would devote and dedicate myself entirely for the unpreventable massive victory of him at the next election for the presidency", he said.

He said he was delighted at the southern people's verdict at the recently concluded provincial election which paved the way for him to serve the masses of the South where he was born and bred.

"At the previous election I solicited a mandate from the people to carry out my unaccomplished service for the people which was overwhelmingly endorsed by them," the Chief Minister said.

At a separate function held at his Ministry, Hemal Gunasekara assumed duties as the Southern Provincial Lands and Land Development, Irrigation, Highways, Information and Rural Development and Estate Infrastructure Minister.

Following the assuming of duties, Gunasekara told the media that he would look into the grievances of the media men and make arrangements to provide lands for them according to their requirements.