Drought relief for farmers:

‘Opposition criticisms narrow-minded’

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District Group Correspondent

“The UNP and JVP criticize President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA government for arranging a drought relief package for the farmers alleging that the government was taking undue political advantage through the drought relief programme.

‘This shows how narrow minded and politically bankrupted the opposition parties are” said the former PC (NCP) member and a candidate contesting the 2012 Provincial Council elections to NCP Kalyani Karalliyadda. She said so at a PC elections propaganda meeting held recently at Kebithigollewa. Kalyani said that leaders of the UNP and JVP were fighting to retain the party leadership and hierarchy while subordinates were endeavoring to grab power. As such they didn’t have time to spare to gaining victory than shedding crocodile tears before the people and are unarmed with any fruitful slogans or criticism against the UPFA, Karalliyeada commented further.

“President Rajapaksa is the only ruler who rendered incomparable service to agriculture and irrigation sector after king Parakramabahu the great. The president recently commenced the construction work of Yan Oya reservoir project on par with Mahinda Chinthana future vision, which will enable solving the acute water shortage in Medawachchiya.

The President’s idea to begin an accelerate, programme to remove sediments in the tanks shows his wisdom and the far-signeted vision befitting of a leader,” she said.

Women’s Affairs and Child Development Minister Tissa Karalliyadda, and Kebithigollewa PS chairman K. Senanayake also addressed the farmers rally.