President tells failed administrators:

Hand back responsibilities

Dhanushka Godakumbura

President Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday called on failed administrators of state owned estates to hand back their responsibilities. The President said that he had received reports on administrators who were obtaining loans from all available sources even to pay workers’ salaries. The majority of these complaints are from the estate sector, he added. The President advised relevant officials to replace such ineffective administrators with efficient ones.

He made the above observation during the Southern Province Development Progress Review meeting held at the Weligama Urban Council Auditorium Saturday. The President on the occasion also commended the Police for their behaviour in handling a recent University student protest.

He also advised officials to bring the underutilized Koggala Bus Stand which was built in 1990, under the Transport Ministry. If the facility is not utilized it should be used for a useful purpose, the President added. When officials pointed out that the new buildings built to house the Servatius and Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya were not being utilized, the President ordered authorities to start two new schools in the location. When excavating roads to provide electricity, water, telephone connections etc. all relevant institutions should work in close coordination, the President advised.

He also said that such facilities should not be provided to unauthorized dwellers of Railway Department lands without the consent of relevant authorities. The President told officials to take steps to maintain public playgrounds properly. As Sri Lanka hopes to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, every effort should be made to enhance the abilities of Sri Lankan children, he added.