Equitable development islandwide - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA reporting from Weheragala

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday that in his future agenda for Sri Lanka, terms such as underdeveloped villages and border villages would not exist and all areas would be developed with equal opportunities and facilities.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at the meeting that followed the inauguration of the Weheragala reservoir scheme.

The Weheragala reservoir is part of the Lunugamwehera irrigation scheme which is expected to provide drinking water to Kataragama, Tissamaharama and Lunugamwehera areas.

“Five harbours are being built simultaneously in various parts of the country. In addition to these development programs, mega irrigation and electricity schemes are also coming up, not only in Southern areas, but also in areas liberated from the clutches of the LTTE so that all communities could enjoy the benefits of the development programmes,” President said.

While praising the engineers and other workers who contributed to the success of the Weheragala reservoir project, the President said local expertise and resources were utilised for the projects that have been announced by the Government. The Weheragala project was a good example for the utilisation of local expertise.

President also urged the politicians and public servants to be more service oriented and to give their best to the people who depended on them.

Commenting on his future plans, the President outlined the steps put forward by his government to eliminate crime.

“We have very successfully wiped out terrorism from the island, and now we are focusing more on eradicating criminal activities such as underworld operations, drug trafficking and bootlegging.”

The President was optimistic that those anti-social elements would also be eliminated from the country soon. Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Rajitha Senaratne and Jagath Pushpakumara were also present.