Development not at cost of environment - President
Rasika Somarathna and N P Rajadurai in Ratnapura
* ‘Govt policy guided by people’s
well-being’
* ‘Equity in development will be
ensured’
Development projects will not be carried out at the cost of the
environment or by causing hardships to the people, although the country
is on the path of rapid economic development, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said.
The President said projects which will cause loss of personal
property on a large scale and environment degradation will be rejected
and added his government was not prepared to implement projects which
would cause hardships to a section of the people to benefit others.
He said certain Opposition elements were trying to obtain political
mileage from the issue while spreading falsehoods to mislead the people.
“The government’s policy in respect of all affairs will continue to be
guided by the vital interests and well- being of the people. This will
not yield to any other consideration,” he said.
President Rajapaksa was speaking at the United People’s Freedom
Alliance (UPFA) election rally in support of its candidates contesting
the upcoming polls from the Ratnapura district to the Sabaragamuwa
Provincial Council on Saturday.
The President said the government has not neglected any village.
“Development activities are taking place in all of them in line with
the policy of achieving equity in development,” he said.
Speaking on the upcoming PC polls, President Rajapaksa said
Provincial Councils and other local government bodies were playing a
very constructive role in developing villages, districts and provinces.
He said the government will ensure that such local bodies will meet
their obligations in working towards realising people’s aspirations. The
President said the government laid emphasis on developing human
resources and education of children. President Rajapaksa said the
government provided jobs to graduates, professional and other skilled
people. Speaking on migrant employees, he said the government’s efforts
has drastically reduced women going abroad to work as maids while
increasing the migration of skilled professionals, both male and female.
When the public queried from the President who was going to be the
Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister when the UPFA records victory on September
8, the President said the most suitable will be appointed.
The election rally was held at the public grounds in Ratnapura town.
A mammoth crowd attended the meeting, despite the inclement weather.
Several UNP activists including politicians Ratnapala Walegoda, Shantha
Suduwella and Rohana Samaratunge joined the UPFA.
Ministers Mervyn Silva, Prof Tissa Vitarana, D E W Gunasekera,
Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and W D J Seneviratne and
Western Provincial Council member Udaya Gammanpila also addressed the
meeting. |