UPFA will ensure sustainable development - Minister Rajitha

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

There is no doubt the UPFA will ensure sustainable development in the country. The country will achieve its development goals speedily under this government, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne during an interview with the Daily News.

Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne

“The government has allocated a large sum of money for development activities in each and every Divisional Secretariat. A large number of people have become beneficiaries of the development projects carried out by the government”, he said.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What do you think about the upcoming Local Government elections? Do you think that the UPFA will win and why?

A: The UPFA will definitely win this election similar to the way they won previous elections. At present we have great leadership and guidance from President Mahinda Rajapaksa. There is no doubt the UPFA will win.

The public have understood this and they have agreed with the development programme planned under Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision. All are able to see great development in this country and all Sri Lankans will benefit from development programmes.

Sri Lankans believe in the government’s policies. We have proposed a strong team for the upcoming elections which comprise a large number of Opposition party members.

The UPFA will win this election with a clear majority, similar to its previous victories.

Q: What can you say about the current losing trend of the Opposition party?

A: Our Opposition has become weaker and they face internal problems regarding their leadership. Therefore, the UNP is divided.

Colombo is the only Municipal Council the UNP usually wins but even this had become uncertain. The UNP won the Colombo Municipal at previous elections but this time they will lose because the team which they have proposed is not strong enough to face the UPFA.

They have no belief of their future. Such a party cannot take the responsibility of the country’s future and the people will not believe the promises and policies of the UNP as they all know that they do not have a strong leadership or correct guidance.

Therefore, the UNP is not strong enough to lead the country to sustainable development because they have no consensus within the party.

Q: Do you think propaganda campaigns are enough for the UPFA to win?

A: We do not need more campaigning to ensure our victory because the people know the UPFA has done a great service to the public.

The public understands the UPFA have a clear vision about the country’s development and public welfare. The people know the UPFA will treat them well and it has enough strength to face all the challenges as a successful political party.

The public knows the UPFA will continue development programmes and maintain peace and harmony.

The people know the freedom they enjoy is one of the most valuable results of the government’s efforts. They know that if the government had strength to defeat the terrorism, they have the strength to develop the country too.

There is no doubt the UPFA will ensure sustainable development in the country. The country will achieve its development goals speedily under this government.

The government had allocated a large sum of money for development activities in each and every Divisional Secretariat. A large number of people have become beneficiaries of the development projects carried out by the government.

Q: What do you think about the removal of Emergency regulations?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken steps to repeal the Emergency law in the country and had given a great answer to parties who try to accuse the government by using the Emergency law. This is a historic step.

Pro-LTTE groups overseas trying to give new life to the LTTE was a cause for the government to extend the Emergency law.

Several parties said the government is not strong enough to maintain law and order in the country through ordinary regulations and they accused the government of trying to neglect public views by suppressing protests and strikes by using the Emergency law as an excuse.

These elements are trying to hide their own weaknesses by making false allegations against the government and creating a bad image. But the people are not fools and they can differentiate truth from false.

Therefore, there is no doubt the President had given a fitting answer to all the questions posed by the Opposition.

We believe that the public will receive more benefits by this and it will not threaten the country’s law and order.

Q: The UNP is asking for a salary increment of Rs.10, 000. Comment.

A: They are talking about a salary increment of Rs.10,000 but when they were in power they failed to provide even Rs.1,000 increment. There is a large number of development projects ongoing countrywide. Thus, the government can give increments from time to time as it does not forget public welfare.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given every opportunity for state officials to uplift their livelihoods and he will take more steps to provide salary increments after discussing with trade unions before preparing the budget for 2012. When the UNP was in power in 2001, their leader said they can increase the salary by Rs. 3,000. Yet, he could not make that increment and finally due to continuous requests made by party members, he increased it by Rs.1,100.

The government will not forget the public and it will provide salary increments every time there is an opportunity.

Q: Fisheries and aquaculture are your subjects. What are your development plans?

A: At present, there is great development in the fishery industry. Fish product exports in Sri Lanka have increased by 67 percent. We have opened 96 Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) fish stalls islandwide and we hope to extend this network by establishing 250 fish stalls.

We have introduced insurance and loan schemes for fishermen. Currently, we have received 8,000 applications for loans.

We hope to introduce a pension scheme for fishermen as well which will greatly benefit the fishery community.

Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry is internationally recognized because of this massive development. We received the opportunity to hold several international conferences in Sri Lanka such as IOTC 15 and the Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Aquaculture. This is the first time Sri Lanka received the opportunity to hold a ministerial meeting in the fisheries sector.

All construction work of fisheries harbours, ports and anchor lodges will be completed in 2013. Thus, the fisheries industry will be at the foremost in our economy.