'Govt won't succumb to external threats'

The government will not give in to any form of threat posed by the international community, said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

Prime Minister  D M Jayaratne

He was addressing a meeting at Gampola to vest in the public five electricity projects launched at a cost of Rs 4.5 million under the funds of the decentralized budget of the Prime Minister and an Asia Development Bank grant. The project supplies electricity to 500 families in Galaha-Vedaheta, Queenston Field Estate, Datree Colony and Angammana areas.

The Prime Ministe r said from the past, Sri Lanka was an independent country, but on several occasions, was subjected to hostilities. No country has the right to threaten the freedom and sovereignty of the country, he said.

He said, "in the past, supply of electricity was implemented on a small scale, but today, these projects are undertaken on a massive scale." Electricity provision to the whole country is underway at a rapid pace and the government is spending a huge amount of money to provide electricity for rural areas. Infrastructure facilities development is one of the priority areas of the government, he added.

When a country is marching forward to industrial development, there should be an equal development in infrastructure facilities, he said.

"The government is taking steps to ensure a good living standard for the people. The projects, such as, Gama Neguma, Divi Neguma, and fertilizer subsidy schemes are aimed at economic stability of the people.

"Some Western countries do not like to see Sri Lanka raising her head as a developed country.

That is why they are trying to create conflicts in the country again, the Prime Minister said.