UPFA completes second year in office:

Country on road to prosperity, development

* Introduced people- friendly government

* Emphasis on empowering low income groups

Chaminda PERERA

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa will complete its second year in office tomorrow. The UPFA government created history by securing an overwhelming majority close to almost two thirds in the 14th Parliament at the general election on April 8, 2010.

The UPFA’s victory saw the beginning of a new era focusing on the country’s development 11 months after the country achieved victory over terrorism. The government’s accelerated development drive with special emphasis on empowering low income groups is in line with the Mahinda Chinthana Forward Vision. Its victory at the 2010 general election left an indelible imprint on Sri Lanka’s political map.

The people have reposed their whole- hearted confidence in the government’s development drive at the election by relegating the Opposition into oblivion.

The people through enthroning the people - friendly UPFA government in 2010 administered a death blow to vicious elements who stood in the government’s way towards prosperity and development.

The government with a strong Parliament succeeded in pushing the country forward in terms of development. A number of mega - development projects were implemented by the government with special focus on making low income groups economically viable.

The Economic Development Ministry launched the Divi Neguma programme to uplift the living standards of low income families. Many families in rural and suburban areas have started projects to cultivate food crops in their home gardens under this programme and its success resulted in a sharp decline in vegetable prices in the local market.

The government has implemented a host of mega - development projects, including ports, expressways, irrigation schemes and power generation projects which will give tremendous impetus to the country’s economic development.

Many projects are on the verge of being completed. The country has recorded a tremendous economic development during the past two years.

The economy of the country also recorded a growth of 8.3 percent last year as against eight percent in 2010.

The Census and Statistics Department said that the 8.3 growth rate recorded last year is the highest ever Gross Domestic Product achieved since independence in the country.