'Duty of all to rally behind President'

Priyanka Kurugala

It is the duty of all Sri Lankans to rally behind President Mahinda Rajapaksa at this important moment when the country is celebrating his birthday and also marking his second year in office as President, Deputy Indigenous Medicine Minister Pandu Bandaranayake said.

He said President Rajapaksa always possessed an indigenous outlook. Even when carrying out huge development projects in the country he kept confidence in the skills and knowledge of local engineers.

The deputy minister was addressing a gathering of indigenous medicine practitioners at the ministry premises recently. The meeting was held to explain the budget relief for indigenous doctors.

President Rajapaksa is a leader who gives priority to local values. When providing health facilities the President has kept his confidence in the indigenous medicine system, he said. The government has allocated a vast amount of funds for the development of indigenous medicine.

The President has done his utmost to develop indigenous medicine and win recognition to the practitioners of indigenous medicine. This is demonstrated by the President's frequent meetings with Ayurveda doctors and giving ear to their grievances, the many programmes launched on their behalf as well as presenting the Swarna Mudhrika award too, he said. Today anybody can visit any place in the country without fear or suspicion.