Govt empowered to thwart odds - Minister Gajadheera

Akuressa Central special corr and Deiyandara group corr

Sinister forces which cannot defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa government through the ballot are trying to topple it by conspiring to create a clash between the Legislature and the Judiciary.

They will never succeed in their attempt because the government has the full backing of the public and a two-third majority in Parliament, said Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera.

Minister Gajadheera was addressing a meeting after opening the Poramba-Ellawakanda road in Akuressa rehabilitated at a cost of Rs 1,236,369 under the Gama Neguma programme recently.

Minister Gajadheera said the government paid due respect to the Judiciary and always upheld its independence.

"However, it would never condone any malpractices within the Judiciary. He said the government could develop roads, power and water supply and other infrastructure facilities by allocating funds but creating disciplined citizens was a much difficult task. Many destructive forces are targeting the minds of the child population".

"Today, all members of a majority of families were armed with mobile phones. Children were getting exposed to the outside world through the computer. If these facilities are used for a good purpose, it would help develop individuals and society. If they were used the wrong way, it would distort children's minds.

The drug menace had even entered schools and classrooms. Parents should realize the threat posed to children by these trends and try to lead them on the correct path by giving them a sound education, including daham pasala education, he said.

Minister Gajadheera said that at a time when the President was trying to accelerate the economic development effort by dispelling poverty and developing the rural sector, certain forces were trying to disrupt it by creating discussion in the country. The people should identify this threat and rally round the government to defeat sinister attempts.

Pradesheeya Sabha members Champa Saddhatissa, Upul Hemakumara, and Susantha Weerasinghe, Rehabilitation Authority chairman E A Samarasinghe and other officials were also present.