All should unite to expedite provincial development

By Ananda KANNANGARA

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The elections for the North Central and the Sabaragamuwa provincial councils ended last week. Accordingly two new Chief Ministers will be appointed for the two provinces shortly.

When the `Sunday Observer’ interviewed people and sought their comments about the election and the appointments of new Chief Ministers, Bank Executive and resident of Kegalle, Samuel Thevarayan wants all newly elected Provincial Councillors whether they are in the Government or in the opposition to shed their petty party differences and get together for the sake of people in the provinces.

He proposed all members including the chief ministers elect in these two provincial councils to get on to a common public platform after their swearing-in-ceremony scheduled to be held next week.

“Such an act will help them to set an example even to other provincial councils in the country.”

Being an agriculturalist, he also requested the provincial councils to encourage farmers in the province to improve their vegetable and paddy cultivations.

Wife of a parliamentarian Mrs. Asha Aluthgamage said that the newly appointed councillors must give priority to improve the infrastructure facilities in the two provinces, especially the roads.

She also urged PC members to encourage people to start self-employment projects as resources are in plenty in the provinces for various development activities.

Staff nurse in the Colombo National Hospital who is a resident of Polonnaruwa, Kanthi Joseph said there were two State hospitals in the Polonnaruwa District, but they do not provide even the basic medical facilities. “Patients have to buy expensive drugs from private pharmacies and the majority of the poor farmers cannot afford to do so”.

She said although she brought this matter to the attention of former provincial council members, nothing happened and “I think most politicians today do not listen to grievances of people after coming to power”.

Landed proprietor, Benjamin Alexander of Kalawana wanted the newly elected provincial councillors to identify the day-to-day needs of ordinary people in the district before starting large-scale projects.

“Many farmers have given up vegetable, cinnamon, cocoa and paddy cultivation due to the high cost of fertilizer and of agricultural equipment”.

He therefore proposed that the Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister should commence a proper garbage collection system and set up a recycling plant to manufacture fertilizer to be sold to farmers in the area.

He requested the new provincial councillors to consult the Chairman of the Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha in the Kalutara District, Lalith Ellawala and find out how he launched a massive garbage collection system in the area and convert them into fertilizer by using a huge plant.

Chairman, Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha, G.H. Buddhadasa wanted the newly elected provincial councillors in both provinces to focus much attention towards the educational activities of children and health activities in the area.

He said authorities must also take immediate steps to identify displaced families in the North Central Province and provide them houses.

Chairman Buddhadasa also focused special attention to the renovation of dilapidated roads in rural areas which have been neglected for the past several years.

Public sector employee, R. Serasinghe wanted the newly elected council members to take immediate steps to make the Government launched `Vaga Sangramaya’ a reality.

“There are lots of unattended lands in these two provinces and I urge the members in both Councils to encourage farmers and other people to cultivate them”.

Public Health Inspector, Ajith Withanage wanted the newly elected provincial councillors to set up and maintain a proper drainage system in these areas.

“We normally receive reports from these provinces about the outbreak of various diseases due to the poor drainage system.

Therefore, I urge the council members to focus attention on the eradication of diseases by having a proper drainage system.

Mercantile sector executive, Dammika Raigama proposed the NCP Chief Minister elect to set up a wholesale vegetable market to enable farmers to sell their products to customers coming from distant areas.

He said although farmers produce enough vegetable they are not in a position to sell them owing to the lack of facilities and it is the duty of the provincial council to fulfil their needs.

Hotelier, Sirimevan Wanigasekara of Anuradhapura urged the Chief Minister elect to take special action to develop the tourism industry.

“There are many places which can be developed to attract local and foreign tourists and I hope the present councillors will fulfil this need, otherwise we as hoteliers will have to close down our business.”

Ex-Banker and Lecturer in the Sabaragamuwa University, Kanchana Saparamadu said “There are many uncultivated lands in the district and it is the duty of the Agriculture Minister in the Provincial Council to look into them and take action to cultivate them”.

As an ex-banker, he said, he could assist needy people to obtain financial assistance from banks to start self-employment projects and also proposed that the provincial councillors to go to villages and listen to farmers’ grievances.

Medical student, Sumedha Nanayakkara of Anuradhapura said “I was selected to the Medical College from my village school since I got an opportunity to do my additional studies in Colombo, but a large number of students in the district do not have that opportunity.

“Therefore, I request the Chief Minister elect to visit schools in remote villages and look into the needs of children, if he really wants to improve the educational facilities in the province.