All must protect, safeguard country’s dignity - President

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said everyone is duty bound to protect their professional dignity and act within their official capacity and limits. The President said so participating in an event at Temple Trees to mark International Coconut Day yesterday.

The event was jointly organised by the Coconut Development Ministry and Janatha Estates Development Board. The President said when professional integrity is not protected, the entire country is affected. “All must protect and safeguard the dignity of the country while maintaining their professional dignity.”

President Rajapaksa said coconut cultivation has a long history and it has been revealed that coconut has been cultivated for thousands of years. “According to folklore, prince Wijaya was treated to a king coconut by Kuveni on his arrival in the country. As a result of certain narrow minded political decisions by past governments and private sector activities, coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka had seen a gradual decline.”

"The present government established a new ministry for coconut cultivation. Accordingly, certain state owned estates, which had been given to the private sector were taken back by the government. Those estates are now making profits. Two such estates presented over Rs 1,250 million dividends as profit to the President to be sent to the Treasury.

"Besides, our coconut cultivation was badly affected by terrorism and the tsunami. Considering these hindrances and drawbacks, the government has done a lot for the uplift of coconut cultivation . Under these initiatives, government offers a fertilizer subsidy apart from the various other benefits. A 50 kilogramme bag of coconut fertilizer,worth Rs 4,200 is offered to coconut cultivators for only Rs 1,200. The government provides a Rs 3,000 subsidy for each bag of coconut fertilizer," the President added.

"The coconut industry is being develop-ed according to a local made strategic plan instead of foreign plans. We Sri Lankas need not have foreign plans," the President added.

He further said "Mita" has been destroying coconut cultivations. "There are Mitas lurking in other fields trying to destroy the country. Certain Mitas of Nun Government Organisations are among them. Those Mitas are destroying cultural values of the country." the President said in lighter vein.

"The country has been placed on a fast development track after being liberated from terrorism which stifled the country's progress for nearly three decades. These Mitas come in various forms and are carrying out hidden agendas to destroy this peaceful atmosphere.

"They are engaging in destroying the dignity of the country. But the people are vigilant about the behaviour of these forces," President Rajapkasa added.

He added that the Maha Sanga are addressed as Hamuduruwo. At the same time, judges are also called Hamuduruwo. Therefore, judges have an exemplary role to play in society. They have to protect their personal dignity and professional dignity. He said no person has the right to suppress or deprive people of their sovereign rights.

The President said all stakeholders should work in unison to make the people's aspirations a reality and nobody can shun their responsibility by merely saying that it is not their duty. President Rajapaksa said the government's development march may be crippled if politicians and government officials do not discharge their duties properly.