Gampaha to become centre of education

When the country progresses as a model State in Asia in the near future, the Gampaha District will be made the centre of education and information technology, Senior Presidential Advisor and UPFA Gampaha district leader Basil Rajapaksa said.

Addressing a women's conference of the Gampaha district held at the Negombo town hall Wednesday, former Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said the Gampaha district polled the highest majority votes for President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Election and expressed the gratitude of the President and that of the Government for this unique contribution.

The Government will provide the best of facilities to schools in the district. Pre-school facilities will also be provided for children.

University education too will be made possible for them within the district, he said.

In the fields of healthcare, transport, water supply and power, there will be the best of services accrued to the people.

The Government will also build a society free from crime, drug menace and other vices.

There will be a virtuous society which respects parents and elders.

The Gampaha district will be transformed into a healthy place for everybody to live in peace and harmony, said Basil Rajapaksa.

"My father was a State Council member, we were unable to offer his three month 'dhana' for want of money.

Our land was then mortgaged to one mudalali in the village. During this trying period, it was our mother who took the brunt to educate us despite all the odds. It was none other than this great mother who brought forth President Mahinda Rajapaksa."

It is this Mahinda Rajapaksa who unified the country after eliminating terrorism, Basil Rajapaksa said.

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Civil Aviation Deputy Minister and UPFA Gampaha district candidate Sarath Kumara Gooneratne, film actress Malini Fonseka, also addressed the conference.