President tells officials in Vavuniya:
Serve public equally
Peace dividend should be enjoyed by all:
*Country today under one banner
* Need to accelerate development
Rasika SOMARATHNA in Vavuniya
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on State officials to
serve all members of the public equally, without taking into
consideration their caste, ethnic, religious and other differences.
He told them to consider serving the public similar to serving God.
He stressed that assistance to the masses should be distributed
equally and advised State officials to impart their services without
bias.
The President gave the above advise addressing both State officials
and politicians during the progress review meeting of development
activities in the Northern Province, held at Vanni Security Forces
Headquarters, Vavuniya.
The occasion also made history as it was the first time that a
President attended a development review meeting in the Northern
Province.
The President continuing on the above subject told State officials
that he had received certain complaints from the public on the issue and
told them to act impartially and prevent a recurrence if such issues
exist.
While commenting that the area had undergone a significant transition
since emerging from the devastation caused by terrorism, the President
noted that all should be committed to protect the hard won freedom and
peace.
He told State officials to ensure that the dividends of peace go to
the public in the form of economic development.
He said that now the country was united under one Government and told
State officials that their prime objective should be to serve the public
equally and productively.
President Rajapaksa on the occasion reviewed the progress of
development work in the province and discussed future plans.
He brought to the notice of the officials several shortcomings and
advised them to take swift measures to rectify the anomalies.
He emphasized on the need to accelerate development, renovation of
school buildings, and dilapidated infrastructure, new housing
facilities, resettlement, improving livelihood avenues, preventing
encroachment of land, viable transportation, electricity etc. The event
was attended by several Ministers including Basil Rajapaksa, Douglas
Devananda and Rishard Badthuideen. Namal Rajapaksa MP, Jeya Sri Ranga MP
too were in attendance.
Northern Governor Major General G A Chandrasiri, Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander, the IGP, Ministry Secretaries,
Government Agents of all districts in the Northern Province, Ministry
Secretaries and other local and national level administrative officials
were also present.
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