Deyata Kirula:

Development brought to rural areas - minister

"The government decided to hold the Independence Day celebration and Deyata Kirula exhibition in remote areas to bring the benefits of development to rural areas "said Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha.

The minister was addressing a meeting after opening the rehabilitated Asoka Vidyalaya at Siyambalagaswewa, Mahawilachchiya on Saturday. The rehabilitation programme was a social hospitality service launched by the Ministry under the assistance of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and its distribution agents in the North Central Province.

The minister said the entire Anuradhapura district had undergone a major transformation in development Concurrent to the Deyata Kirula programme.

Therefore, he would advise opposition critics who questioned as to what the government had done after restoration of peace to visit the outstations to witness the progress achieved after peace had returned to these areas.

Minister Premajayantha said "About 15 years ago these areas were in an inaccessible condition without a proper road network one had to use a tractor to travel on Tantirimale road.

But today the situation had changed for the better with the building of a modern road network.

"Since agriculture is the main livelihood of nearly 70 percent of the country's population.

The government had given priority towards making the country self sufficient in its food requirements.

Although Siyambalagaswewa did not have electricity supplies earlier the village and accrued to people after defeating terrorism for which critics were blind.

"The people who benefit from these services rendered by the government would undoubtedly show their silent gratitude to the government at election time " the minister said.

He said Rs 2.1 million has been spent on providing water supply and electricity facilities and rehabilitation of school buildings at Asoka Vidyalaya alone.

The minister also distributed a assignment of school uniforms, books and school equipment among the children and handed over several computers to the school.

Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, Irrigation and Water Management Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake and other official were also present in the occasion.