Minister lauds NGOs

Suraj A Bandara

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa lauded the assistance given by NGOs up to now to develop the North and East regions and urged further support from UN organizations and all local and international NGOs.

The Minister was addressing the heads of international aid agencies at the Presidential Secretariat recently. The representatives of 12 international organizations including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Food Program (WFP) attended the meeting.

He informed the heads of international aid organizations that the Government under the personal supervision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is fully committed to develop the North and East and has completed many development projects in these regions. However some organizations that were once actively involved in bringing development to these regions are trying to stop the support given to the Government now, he said.

He urged the heads of NGOs not to separate relief centres located in the North as old and new. "All are the same and we should consider all of them on an equal basis." The Minister further said some Sinhala and Muslim people have already embarked on their businesses in the North and they should be provided with all basic needs for a hassle free businesses environment.

The Government will be the ultimate decision-maker in all development endeavours and dealing with the people who are housed in relief centres.

He urged all international volunteer organization heads to keep up with the good work and prepare a consolidated plan to develop the North region soon.