'Country should return to self-sufficient economy'

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa recalled the uplifting of Sri Lanka's agriculture and the farming community following the introduction of the Paddy Lands Act by Philip Gunawardene and stressed the need for returning to the self-sufficient economy of the pre-colonial era.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa said so at a commemoration ceremony held in connection to the 112 birth anniversary of Philip Gunawardene at the Seethawaka Abhimana Awards ceremony held in parallel to the Seethawaka Abhimana historic cultural and educational exhibition 2013 at the Sri Piyarathana Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Padukka.

Minister Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the ceremony where awards were presented to persons who had performed social, economic and educational services for Seethawaka.

He said after the Paddy Lands Act was passed and implemented stage by stage, the first stage was implemented under the leadership of the Rajapaksas of the Hambantota district. He added that the Rajapaksas of Giruwapaththuwa had a close relationship with the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna in that era.

A large crowd attended the three-day exhibition organized by the Seethawaka Heritage Foundation.

Minister Rajapaksa recalled that when Philip Gunawardene, known as the Lion of Boralugoda introduced the Paddy Lands Act, the then Opposition and other groups tried to obstruct it but he succeeded in getting parliamentary approval for this progressive act which was one of the developments that eventually led to present day self-sufficiency in rice.

In addition to agriculture, Philip Gunawardene had also taken steps to uplift the fisheries industry by introducing mechanized vessels that helped to do fishing in the high seas, according to Minister Rajapaksa.

Minister Rajapaksa also appreciated the strong support of Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene in getting parliamentary approval for the Divi Neguma Bill.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardene and former Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardene were among those who attended the event.