Priority for rural development - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented diploma certificates to students of the Management Diploma in Local Government course conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Government with the financial assistance of the UNDP Art Gold program, at Temple Trees yesterday. Here Galle Mayor Methsiri de Silva and Beliatta Provincial Council Chairman Cyril Munasinghe who passed the diploma with distinctions presenting a memento to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister ALM Athaulla, Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranaike, Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Vijayalal de Silva and Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilaka were also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

The Government has given top priority for rural development for which the strengthening of Local Government institutions is of paramount importance, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a function held at the Temple Trees yesterday.

The President presented certificates of the Local Government Management Diploma Course, organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Government.

Fifty persons who had successfully followed the Diploma Course received their certificates from the President at this function. This diploma course had been based on eleven subjects aimed at the development of skills and attitudes.

President Rajapaksa said Local Government representatives are always close to the people in rural areas and they have the capability and strength to find solutions after identifying the problems of the rural folk.

The President also pointed out the necessity to launch development programs in the rural areas.

The ceremony was also attended by Local Government Minister A L M Athaulla, Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranaike, Local Government Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilake and Dr D M S Disanayake of the Sri Lanka Institute for Local Government.