No difficulty in getting Budget passed - Jayaratne

Minister of Plantation Industries, D. M. Jayaratne said that the government will be strengthened after the Budget. He said that there will be no difficulty in getting the Budget passed by Parliament as 119 MPs are in the government party.

With the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the government will continue for the next three years and there will not be an election before that. Anyone can join the government without any party differences, he said.

The Minister was the chief guest at a ceremony at Maradamunei, Kalmunai in Ampara where 5,000 coconut seedlings were distributed among families in the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat division under the Eastern coconut triangle. It was organised by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mayon Mustapa.

The minister promised to provide 100,000 coconut seedlings to the electorate next year. In addition to agriculture and fishing, coconut cultivation will also be introduced as a new industry and it will help to increase their income. The Deputy Minister thanked the Minister of Plantation Industries for the support given to develop the living standards of the people of Maradamunei.

The government has drawn its attention to solve the issues prevailing in the East and develop the living standards of the people. The government has implemented a number of development programs in the province.