Development projects’ benefits must reach masses - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the first Cabinet sub committee on controlling cost of living and food security said all development schemes should be compatible with the country’s requirements.

The benefits of all development oriented projects should go directly to the people. All officials should be committed to take responsibility in attending to their duties properly, the President said.

The first Cabinet sub committee on controlling cost of living and food security met with the new Cabinet and Ministry Secretaries at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The increase in the price of chicken was also discussed. The President instructed the sub committee that if the price increase of chicken is inevitable to take measures to import chicken according to the country’s requirements.

He noted that consumers were finding it difficult to meet the rising price of chicken. Therefore, steps have to be taken to provide chicken at a reasonable price, he said. The Committee’s attention focused on how to provide enough refrigerators to preserve all fishery products and agro-products.

The President pointed out the necessity to provide quality seeds to gain a bountiful harvest for farmers. There are a shortcomings in providing them with quality seed paddy. Therefore, the country have been unable to reap the expected harvest, he said.

He said they should utilize all the research carried out by Universities to enhance the productivity in agriculture.

He directed the Agriculture Ministry Secretary to take immediate action to implement these proposals.

Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Rajitha Senaratne, Johnston Fernando, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Arumugam Thondaman and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga also attended the meeting.