‘State institutions must co-operate to serve public’

Building close co-operation and liaison among state institutions is essential for them to ensure maximum service to the public, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a meeting held with District Secretaries at Temple Trees on Thursday to obtain their ideas, views and proposals in the preparation of next year’s budget.

A press release from the President’s Media Division said the District Secretaries submitted views and proposals about development shortcomings, and the future development programmes in their districts including those needing funds from the next budget.

Special attention was also drawn at the meeting regarding environmental problems arising during the development process and the President emphasized the need to minimize environmental damage caused during development activities.

The President also directed the District Secretaries and the chairman of the Central Environmental Authority to take legal action against persons who paid scant regard to the environment in their development activities.

Special attention was also drawn to child abuse which has become a burning problem today and the President directed the National Child Protection Authority and Department of Probation and Child Care Services to strengthen legislation to curtail this problem.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who gave a detailed account of the National Crop Cultivation programme to be implemented countrywide under the auspices of the Agriculture Ministry said ground nuts, undu, gingerly, Sorghum and green gram are to be cultivated extensively under this programme.

He said essential seeds will be supplied to the farmers under this programme which also included definite arrangements to obtain the post harvest. Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, Deputy Minister Wijaya Dahanayake, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and Public Administration Ministry Secretary P. B. Abeykoon also participated.