Govt spending should benefit public - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Government spending should be for public benefit, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told both State administrative officials and politicians yesterday while emphasising the need to maintain accountability when spending public money.

He advised authorities to take on board public suggestions and their needs when starting development activities. He told them to engage in prudent planning prior to going ahead with any development initiative to implement them successfully in line with peoples needs.

Addressing officials during the Wayamba Province development review meeting held at Madampe, Chilaw yesterday the President noted that what the people needed was successful completion of work in line with their expectations and needs.

“If people need water give it to them. If they need electricity give that also. What people need is to get their work done. It doesn’t matter from whom. So all of you get together and work for the benefit of the people” he said.

The President said that he was receiving a lot of information from the public on the development activities taking place and certain shortcomings. He highlighted many such shortcomings and told officials to take immediate steps to rectify the anomalies.

He pointed out many shortcomings observed by the public on the maintenance of roads in the province and advised all relevant departments to work in unison in ensuring the public a healthy road network.

The President also advised officials to renovate all dilapidated state buildings and unused machinery in the province and put it to public use. He also drew the attention of the gathering on encroachment of the jungles and told officials to take strict measures to prevent such happenings.

“All archaeological objects and sites in the province should be protected and preserved, he added.

The President also spoke about the human, elephant conflict and advised authorities to come out with a feasible program to protect both.

He said that the Government was working on an insurance scheme to compensate affected parties due to wild elephant attacks.

The President also advised the Police to be vigilant about drug trafficking in the area and told them to take strict measures to curb such illegal activities.