Unity can counter int'l challenges - PM
Atapattu BANDARA
Sri Lankans should shed differences and collectively face challenges
from the international community, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.
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Prime Minister D M Jayaratne places floral tributes at the
foot of the statue of D S Senanayake. Opposition Leader
Ranil Wickremesinghe is also in the picture. |
"No person can stand against the motherland in the face of challenges
posed by the international community," he said.
The Prime Minister said that unity is the best way to counter
challenges posed by the international community against Sri Lanka. "We
should take up this challenge unitedly," he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the 60th death anniversary
commemoration of D S Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent
Sri Lanka, leader of State Council and Agriculture and Lands Minister at
Independence Square yesterday. The Premier noted that D S Senanayake's
services will never be forgotten.
"Due to his pragmatic and long term agricultural policies, Sri Lanka
became self - sufficient in agriculture after harvesting over 250.000
acres of paddy lands in the Ampara district alone. Over 30,000
beneficiary families were settled in these areas," he said.
"Opposition parties criticised his visionary decisions and obstructed
development programmes. But, he carried out his projects despite
accusations from the Opposition," the Prime Minister said.
The Minneriya reservoir, Laxapana power plant scheme and the
co-operative system were the people - centred development projects
implemented under his direction, the Premier said. Premier Jayaratne
said D S Senanayake laid a strong foundation for the country to be self
- sufficient by developing agriculture. The colonisation project in
distant areas contributed to create a healthy nation and helped all
communities work with a common agenda in a friendly environment, he
said.
Explaining the importance of a powerful Opposition in a country, the
Prime Minister said the contribution of the Opposition to the work of
the government is immense.
Ven Uhumiye Wijayawansa Thera, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe,
Tissa Attanayake, Ravi Karunanayake, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Colombo
Mayor M Muzammil and family members of D S Senanayake were also present. |
