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| Sunday, 2 May 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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UPFA's immediate provision of jobs for unemployed commended by Ananda Kannangara
A number of workers who are engaged in various employment categories were interviewed by the 'Sunday Observer' and their views were sought Those interviewed wanted the cost of living brought down, while also commending the UPFA Government for the immediate provision of jobs for unemployed graduates and non graduates, the reduction in the price of fertiliser and several other immediate benefits. The government they said had immediately got down to work, keeping its promises. James Appuhamy, a 49-year-old labourer, working at the Manning Market in Colombo said that he earns around Rs. 300 a day and that is not sufficient even to feed his family of five members. "I hope the new Government will focus its attention mainly on poor people like us and reduce the prices of essential food items such as bread, dhal, sugar and infant milk powder. Karunawathi Peris, a 38-year-old Traffic Warden in Borella and also mother of three children said that people in large numbers voted for the new Government with the objective of seeking a change of prices of food items and other essential goods.
"However the new Government must immediately take steps to reduce the prices of essential food items such as milk powder, sugar and kerosene oil," he said. P.R. Somasiri, working as a clerk at the Colombo Municipal Council said that political parties make various promises before coming into power but they are unable to fulfil their obligations. "However I hope the present Government will keep their promises alive for the welfare of the people," he said. Ramani Ratnasekara, a 26-year-old unemployed graduate thanked the new Government for taking immediate steps to provide them with jobs. "When providing jobs the Government must also focus the attention towards the starting of new industrial ventures rather than just filling vacancies in Government Departments and semi Government institutions. Reggie Atukorala, an executive in the People's Bank said that many previous governments tried to privatise State banks but their attempts failed as Sri Lanka's privatisation method is different to the idea of real privatisation methods carried out in Europe.
"However my opinion is that the Government must develop the State banks by appointing educated personalities rather than politically motivated unqualified persons to high posts," he said. "Interests amounting to millions of rupees too must not be waived off due to any reasons," he added. Nemsiri Karunathilaka, a 58-year-old retired Government pensioner said that people in the country gave a massive victory to the Government for the promises they made before the election. "Now it is the duty of the Government to fulfil the aspirations of people. They must not only solve the unemployment problem but also help people to start self-employment projects by granting them with low interest bank loans. Somadasa Rajakaruna, a grass cutter working at the Viharamahadevi Park in Town Hall said that he has two daughters who were employed in a factory owned by a foreigner at the Katunayaka Industrial Zone. He said that the owner of the factory had left the island and large number of employees are now unemployed. "I hope the new Government will immediately look into the grievances of these workers and make arrangements to help them financially until they find alternative jobs". P.R. David Singho, a 56-year-old clerk attached to the Road Development Authority said that the new Government must immediately construct the country's entire road network. "We receive complaints regularly from every part of the country that some roads in populated areas were neglected by the previous governments during the past twelve years and I hope the present Government will look into these problems, he said. |
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