Development:

People receive benefits - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that agriculture should be made more productive to achieve the targets of country's economic development. He added that the country need not wait for ships, if our agriculture sector is made productive.

The President was speaking at the official launch of the national economic program which would be implemented from 2011 at the Finance Ministry yesterday.

The development activities in the country were carried out under trying circumstances in the past. But we never abandoned the development activities, he said.

He said the whole country enjoys the benefits of freedom due to the unwavering efforts of the Security Forces and commitment and dedication of the Government. He said the commitment of all stakeholders is a prerequisite for the development of the country. The President said the Government laid the foundation for the development of the country amidst turmoil. He added that the Government's efforts of developing the country has borne fruit. "We initiated development activities fearlessly while a war on terrorism was being fought," he said.

The President said the Government will see the completion of a number of development projects which were started while the country was fighting terrorism.

He said the people are receiving the benefits of development.