Duty of next Parliament :

Carrying forward Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma program

Sanjaya Asela Maturata and Kadugannawa Group Corr

The duty and responsibility of the next Parliament elected at the forthcoming election is to carry forward the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma program by implementing it throughout the country, said Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister and Colombo District UPFA Candidate Dinesh Gunawardena when he laid the foundation stone for the Peradeniya New Town Development project at Eriyagama on Sunday.

He said that since terrorism had been wiped out under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the biggest challenge before the nation at present was to achieve the economic gains lost during the last 30 years due to terrorism which engulfed the country.

He said the New Peradeniya Town Development program was aimed to beautify the gateway to the hill country. Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa had shown great enthusiasm in initiating the project.

Recalling late Minister Hector Kobbekaduwa whom he described as a close associate during the 1982 Presidential Election campaign Gunawardena said the late Minister was very keen on restoring the lost rights of the Kandyan peasantry. Most of his hopes and aspirations were now being fulfilled by the Government under the tenure of President Rajapaksa.

Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said the Peradeniya New Town Development Plan was first drawn up by late President R Premadasa. Implementation of this project had dragged on for the last 30 years due to a political tug-o-war and it has been ultimately implemented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said that even though Peradeniya housed many world renowned edifices such as the Peradeniya University campus and the Botanical Gardens the town had remained unsystematic over the years. This had also affected the natural beauty of the Mahaweli Ganga flowing through the heart of the town.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be thanked for approving the new town development project and the people of Yatinuwara would be grateful to Minister Dinesh Gunawardena for implementing it. Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Thusitha Kumara Welagedera and several others also spoke. Housing Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena was also present.