All parties support Govt

Rasika Somarathna in Trincomalee

*Unite to make Lanka, Asia’s wonder

*Unprecedent development in East

The present Government has been able to obtain the support of all parties to develop the country and work for the masses’ benefit, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He said that the Government had proved that it could unite all major political parties with differing views under one banner to work for the benefit of the masses as one team.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the UPFA Trincomalee district conference held in support of party candidates contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections. The President told the gathering that members representing the UNP, JVP, SLMC, TNA and other major political parties were with the Government today to work towards one common goal.

He also said that the Government had been able to win the support of even former LTTE members to support the endeavour.

Addressing the gathering at Trincomalee town, President Rajapaksa noted that today people were enjoying true freedom since defeating terrorism which plagued the nation for 30 long years.

“We should now stand united shedding differences to propel the country towards prosperity and development. United we can make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia,” he said addressing the gathering in Tamil.

Speaking on the upcoming elections, he urged voters to elect representatives to Local Authorities, who could develop the village in line with the expectations and needs of the people. The President said that the people should appoint a team which could closely work with the Government and other administrative institutions to supplement development at village level.

He added that in this regard, the UPFA had nominated a willing and capable team, which could supplement the Government’s development initiatives at village level in line with people’s expectations and needs.

He pointed out that the President, Parliament and Provincial Council were all controlled by the UPFA and said that Local Authorities from the same party could closely work with the above institutions to supplement development at village level.

Speaking on the development in the East, the President said that the area which faced severe destruction due to terrorism today was seeing unprecedented development. “Today an all inclusive hospital at a cost of Rs 500 million is coming up at Trincomalee town.

We have taken steps to repair all dilapidated and destroyed roads. In addition new roads are constructed. Concreted roads are coming up at village level,” he said.

“We have taken steps to strengthen the school system. Our target is to provide equal opportunities in education for all irrespective of where they live,” he added.

President Rajapaksa also noted that to strengthen agriculture, the Government has taken steps to provide subsidized fertilizer to all vegetable farmers as well.

Speaking on the Divi Neguma program, launched on Saturday, the President said that through it the Government intends to uplift one million families.

“We would take one family as one economic unit and provide the assistance to uplift their living standards and expand their income earning capacity,” he said.

President Rajapaksa urged the people to maximise the usage of their home gardens by engaging in cultivation and told them to start domestic industries and added that the Government would lend assistance. He said that the State officials, the Schools and places of religious worship should be major stakeholders of these programs intended to ensure equity in social and economic development.

Addressing the contesting UPFA candidates, the President said that when appointed they should work as navigators of the above programs at grassroots level.

He urged them to work as a team to bring victory to the ‘Betel Leaf’ and added that at all times the party should come first instead of personal interest.

Minister S M Chandrasena, Deputy Ministers M K D S Gunewardene and Susantha Punchinilame, Sabaragamuwa Governor W J M Lokubandara, North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, M S Thawfeeq MP and former MP Najeeb Abdul Majeed also addressed the gathering.

Eastern Governor Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, other politicians, Party members, UPFA candidates contesting the upcoming elections were present.