President in Polonnaruwa:
Home-grown solutions to Lanka’s issues
‘Stand united to achieve equity’ :
Rasika Somarathna in Polonnaruwa
‘In finding solutions to whatever issues the country faces, the
government would always look for home-grown methods, that meet the
aspirations and needs of the people, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said
yesterday. He said that solutions to country’s problems should come from
within based on dialogue and understanding and stressed that he and the
government were always prepared to listen and were open for discussion
to resolve any issues on behalf of the people.
The President said that this was not the time for divisive politics
but for unity to uphold the people’s trust by improving their living
standards and ensuring them a better and prosperous future. This is the
responsibility of all politicians, he added
He urged all Sri Lankans, irrespective of differences, to stand
united to achieve equity in both the country’s and people’s development.
The President said so addressing a large gathering in Polonnaruwa
following the launch of the Polonnaruwa water supply project. The
Rs.5,020 million project vested with the public by the President
yesterday would provide safe drinking water to over 80,000 people in 42
GS divisions in the district.
Addressing the gathering following the launch the President stressed
the need to achieve equity in development. He said, development should
not be confined to one area. It should be equally distributed in all
areas. All people, irrespective of differences, should reap its
benefits. We should all stand as one. This is our aim.
To achieve the above he said the government had a commitment to
provide equal facilities and was prepared to do so to the best of its
ability.
However, the President said that it was imperative to have unity to
go forward . ‘The government is always prepared to listen to
constructive criticismand learn from observations. But what is the gain
of spreading hatred and spurring divisions, he questioned. He said that
the media too had a duty to engage in constructive criticism, highlight
peoples aspirations, governments development for the greater good of the
people, without engaging in slander which could spawn hatred and
divisions.
He also emphasized the government’s commitment to develop areas which
had been neglected due the 30 year scourge of terrorism. These
areas are being developed rapidly on par with other areas he added.
Speaking on providing safe drinking water to the public the President
said that with the aid of recent water supply projects the government
had been able to provide water to 61 per cent of the public and added
that this was expanding rapidly.
The Polonnaruwa Water Supply Scheme would cover 42 GS divisions in
Thamankaduwa and Hingurakgoda DS divisions. A similar project to provide
drinking water to Minneriya is on the way.
The water supply chain runs for 140 Kms. It has three water tanks and
would have a daily capacity of 60,000 cubic metres.
The ADB has assisted in constructing the project by way of funds. In
constructions, Korean firms have assisted local engineers.Ministers
Maithripala Sirisena and Dinesh Gunewardene also spoke. A large public
gathering, local politicians, officials, ADB representatives, and the
ambassador of South Korea were also present. |