Divi Naguma aims to make country self-sufficient in food - Basil

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.