Divi Naguma aims to make country self-sufficient in food -
Basil
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who launched the
Divi Naguma Sathi Pola programme at Minuwangoda town on Sunday
in conversation with a trader. Picture by Chaminda Hittatiya
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The President's objective in launching the Divi Naguma programne is
to make the country self-sufficient in food and ensure food security for
every citizen and also generate self-employment, Economic Development
Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.
"It is with this aim that the sathi pola construction programme
commenced at Minuwangoda, heralding a new era in social progress," the
minister said. He was addressing a meeting after the ceremonial
launching of the Divi Naguma Sathi Pola programme at Minuwangoda town on
Sunday.
The extent of the main building of the Minuwangoda Sathi Pola built
with Economic Development Ministry funds is 55,000 square feet with 696
stalls equipped with modern facilities. The construction was undertaken
by the Western Province Road Development Authority.
Minister Rajapaksa said the government has taken steps to introduce
the Divi Neguma Sathi Pola programme to modernise the main weekly fairs
throughout the country to meet consumer requirements, since 80 percent
of Sri Lanka's population live in rural and plantation areas.
The minister said weekly fairs were popular in the country since
ancient times as they were the places where people could do trading by
bartering and consumers were able to buy their needs at reasonable
prices. "These fairs reflected a way of life and were part of the
people's culture. Therefore President Mahinda Rajapaksa had entrusted
the Economic Development Ministry to modernise weekly fairs throughout
the island," Minister Rajapaksa said.
He said in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana Vision, nine weekly
fairs are being built under the Sathi Pola Project in the Gampaha
district with ministry funds.The buildings are coming up at Wattala -
Bopitiya, Divulapitiya, Badalgama, Negombo - Kamachchode, Dompe -
Kirindiwela and Pugoda, Mahara - Malwatu Hiripitiya, Gampaha -
Weliweriya, Biyagama - Pattuwila and Minuwagoda. The minister stressed
the need for keeping the sathi pola clean and reminded that it was the
responsibility of the Minunwangoda Mayor and councillors.
He said renovation, repairs and maintenance should be done according
to proper advice and measures should be taken to ensure that not only
people's needs are met but also public property is protected.
Minister Rajapaksa added the fair would serve as a sales point for
home grown vegetables and fruits and other local products. Excess
products could be sold to traders doing business in other areas The
minister said everything was being done in the Gampaha district today
according to a proper plan.
"The projects cover highways and byways, maternal clinics,
pre-schools, reservoirs, tanks and irrigation canals, jogging tracks,
culverts, bridges and toilets among others," he said.
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