President tells voters in Kantale:

Solid foundation laid for development

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Kantale

Infrastructure projects in power, ports, roads, airports, water supply and more in all parts of the country have laid a solid foundation for rapid development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. He said that the government has identified infrastructure as a key driver in new growth and development in the country.

On the same note President Rajapaksa said that state institutions which were driven to a state of ruin and others sold for a pittance by the past UNP regime are being revitalized for people’s benefit.

“You all know what happened to the sugar factory here. It was driven to a state of ruin by the past UNP regime. How many families were put to difficulty because of this? We have started developing it and the factory will start production once again” President Rajapaksa said addressing a UPFA Provincial Council election rally in Kantale on Tuesday held in support of party candidates in the upcoming elections from the Trincomalee district.

Addressing a massive gathering in Bathiyagama, Kantale he went on to say that the infrastructure drive was about providing housing, sanitation, public transport, jobs, drinking water etc. for millions while laying foundation for sustainable socioeconomic growth. Infrastructure development has also helped to connect rural communities to enhance economic opportunities.

Highlighting certain such achievements, the President said “ soon we will provide electricity to all households in the country, roads are being developed as never before, we have launched mega projects to provide houses to the people, now we are developing investment zones including one in former conflict-torn Sampur.

“We have also launched mega projects to provide water to people both for irrigation and drinking purposes”. He noted that in the sphere of education too the country has made rapid strides forward with the overall quality, new university entrants, number of students passing examination, all increasing. “The scale of what Sri Lanka has accomplished over the past three years - the pace of development - is truly remarkable and very clearly visible,” the President added.

He also recalled the difficulties people underwent due to terrorism and told the gathering to look at the transformation their areas have undergone since that dark era. However, the President said that some Opposition political parties were blind to this progress and has forgotten their misdeeds and were now trying to mislead people with falsehoods for cheap political mileage. “The people have not forgotten the past, they will never forget the past” he added while requesting them to continue their trust in the government “Whatever they say the government’s policy in respect of all matters will continue to be guided by the vital interests and well being of the people and this cannot yield to any other consideration” the President added. Several prominent UNP members in the area including two candidates contesting the upcoming polls got on stage on the occasion and pledged support to the UPFA. The meeting was also addressed by Ministers Mervyn Silva, Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Reginald Cooray and M. K. D. S. Gunewardene.