Village-centred development, President’s aim - minister Basil

Gamini Jayasingha, Sarath Manula Wickrema Anuradhapura Special Corr S.T.B.Senaratne North Centreal Provincial Special

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken measures to create a happy society with enterprising, families and villages through the “Deyata Kirula” programme, Ecconomic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

The minister was speaking while on an inspection tour of the “Deyata Kirula 2012” exhibition site in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura.

‘Uplifting the livelihoods of the rural community is the main objective of this programme and the President has taken measures to provide a productive service to the people of Anuradhapura’,he added.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa aims at village centred development and according to the National Development Programme, all measures will be taken to develop rural areas which have not received proper attention up to now. The government’s target is to develop all main towns, roads and villages through the “Deyata Kirula 2012”,the minister said.

“A large number of villages in the Anuradhapura district were affected by terrorism for nearly three decades and a large number of civilians had died due to the conflict . This is one of the main reasons for the “Deyata Kirula” development programme and exhibition to be held in Anuradhapura this year”, Minister Rajapaksa further said. Ministers S.M.Chandrasena, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and Deputy Minister W.B.Ekanayake also participated in this inspection tour.