In Government development strategy:
Infrastructure gets priority
Equal employment opportunities for all:
Rasika Somarathna
Priority has been given to the development of infrastructure
facilities. The key sectors of electricity, highways, irrigation, water
supply, ports and airports, transport facilities, cities and investment
zones have been prioritized for development throughout the country,
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
Addressing a UPFA election rally in Ruwanwella yesterday the
President said development, which was largely confined to Colombo
earlier was spread to the village level.
“Our policies for the future of Sri Lanka which are already being
implemented include community based rural development for the
empowerment of the poor.
“In addition we have also supported the growth of education and
health facilities. Last year following defence the other major financial
allocations were for health and education,” President Rajapaksa
recalled.
“We also reduced unemployment and plans are afoot to provide equal
opportunities to all to gain employment. Both educated and less educated
youth would be provided with opportunities based on their abilities.
“We have laid emphasis on foreign employment with the focus on
enhancing opportunities to skilled professionals,” he said.
The State sector which was to be cut down to 600,000 has been
increased to 1.2 million, the President said outlining some of the
measures taken to lay foundation for sustainable development in the
country.
The President asserted that no one has the right to betray the
country or the hard earned victory for narrow political gains.
The President also noted that he was elected by the people mainly to
unite the country at a time when it was on the verge of being divided.
“We accepted this challenge and fulfilled people’s aspirations right
down to the last letter,” he said.
Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe who hails from the area too
got on stage to show her support to the President.
She identified the President as a sensitive and courageous leader and
urged the crowd to support President Rajapaksa’s second bid for
Presidential stakes to the hilt.
She also added that during her sporting career she had never seen a
more concerned and sensitive leader towards development of sports and
sporting personnel.
Ministers Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Tissa Vitarana, Wimal Weerawansa
MP, Western Provincial Minister Udaya Gammanpila and former UNP MP
R.A.D. Sirisena also spoke.
Many other Ministers and local politicians including Ministers
Athauda Seneviratne and John Seneviratne were also present. |