Opposition made country dependent - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Matale

The Government considers uplifting the local economy and village development as key components in its future development thrust, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday.

On the same note he said that the Opposition when in power had caused immense damage to the local economy because of their short-sighted policies.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

He observed that the Opposition when in power had neglected agriculture, local industries and economy and had made Sri Lanka a dependent country. The people even today have to pay for these blunders, he added. The President noted the above addressing the Matale district UPFA conference held in support of candidates contesting the upcoming local authority elections at Naula.

The President addressing a massive crowd noted that the Government had taken steps to strengthen the local farmers by giving them fertilizer subsidy, seeds, new technology, stable price for their products, assistance to boost production, water etc. As a result we no longer have to wait for food ships to arrive from abroad, he added. Pointing out on the blunders made by the Opposition when in power said that they had even sold assets of the Paddy Marketing Board.

They resorted to importing everything without considering its impact on the local farmer. They neglected irrigation. Even today we pay for the wheat flour they imported at a higher price because the dollar has gone up considerably since then, he added.

The President pointed out to the gathering that even when fertilizer went up to Rs 9,000 the Government as promised provided a bag for Rs 350. The President said that the people had given the Government a mandate to rid the country of terrorism and that had been achieved.” Our next goal is to be economically independent,” he added.

Speaking on the upcoming elections the President noted that the Opposition today speaking about toppling the Government.

However, they forget that the next Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections are several years away, he added.

He urged the people to appoint UPFA governed local bodies to supplement the above institutions to take Sri Lanka towards rapid development.

The meeting was also addressed by Ven Bibile Vajiragnana Thera, Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Johnston Fernando, Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake and Lakshman Perera MP.