Polonnaruwa stands tall in development sphere

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

A special dam safety programme launched by the government in Polonnaruwa at a cost of Rs 10 billion covering all main tanks, such as Parakrama Samudraya, Girithale and Kaudulla, has ensured the future of the farming community in the province, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Minister Sirisena said the project commenced during the time he held the post of Agriculture Minister and ensured the safety of the dams and farmers.

"All roads in the area are now developed spending millions of rupees. Health facilities in the district have been developed and modern medical equipment provided to state hospitals. Employment were provided to youths bringing down unemployment in the area. Today, Polonnaruwa district is witnessing significant development and stands tall among other districts," he said.

Minister Sirisena said the people in the North Central Province (NCP) are aware of the value of peace better than anyone else because they faced terrorism just as the people in the North and East Provinces.

"The NCP soil was soaked with the blood of the innocent people in the province. They were hacked to death and their bodies were heaped in one place. Buses were bombed. These people have not forgotten their harrowing ordeals and cherish the peace they enjoy today," he said.

The minister said there are no governments that are 100 percent perfect.

"Therefore the public should take a wise decision after carefully going through the current socio-political development. The current position of Sri Lanka is very satisfactory when compared with other countries which were ruined by the world economic crisis and natural disasters," the minister said.