President will create prosperous era - Minister W D J Seneviratna

Nimal WIJAYATUNGA Eheliyagoda special corr.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will definitely uplift the country's production and create a prosperous era by developing facilities such as roads, electricity, health, education etc. within the period of next seven years, Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said.

He expressed these views at an opening ceremony of the Eheliyagoda Bank of Ceylon branch at a new building in front of Eheliyagoda post office.

Minister Seneviratne, Eheliyagoda DS Shanthi Wijayaraja and the other bank officials hoisted the national and religious flags prior to cutting a ribbon and lighting the traditional oil lamp to open the bank.

The Maha Sangha chanted 'Seth Pirith.'

Minister Seneviratne said Eheliyagoda town is a very important town in the Province which is rich in gems.

Bank of Ceylon is the major bank in the country that assists national needs in different ways.

"It should be our duty to work hard to develop Sri Lanka towards the standard achieved by some other countries such as Singapore and Thailand.

It is necessary to develop the lifestyle of the citizens and to create unity among different races, religions etc," he said.

BoC Asst. General Manager I. D. Weerasinghe said, at present the banking system is being modernised for the benefit of customers as well as for the uplift of the country.

A considerable number of businessmen and heads of Government and private institutions in the area participated.

Sabaragamuwa Provincial, BoC Asst. General Manager H. K. W. Gunasinghe, Ratnapura District General Manager W. A. W. Wellasinghe and Eheliyagoda BoC Manager K. A. L. W. Kodithuwakku also spoke.