Our priorities: IT, health, education, tourism -Southern UNP candidates

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The establishment of new educational institutions at every village for the benefit of unemployed Advanced Level qualified students and University graduates to expand their knowledge in the field of Information Technology is my first assignment after winning the forthcoming Provincial Council election, said Matara District UNP group leader Buddhika Pathirana.

Speaking to Sunday Observer, Pathirana, who is a graduate of the Sri Lanka Medical College, highlighted the importance of solving the unemployment problem and said that if new industries in collaboration with local and foreign investors are set up in the province, the matter of providing jobs to unemployed youth will not be a big problem.

Pathirana also said he wished to appoint a committee to look into the shortcomings of schools, pre-schools and dhamma schools in the district.

“We have also planned to renovate dilapidated school buildings, construct new classrooms, establish new computer centres, libraries, Science laboratories and also provide educational equipment to all rural and urban schools in the District,” he said.

Pathirana stressing the importance of establishing national harmony among communities in the district said that monthly programs will be conducted at every religious place to bridge the gap between Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and other communities.

When interviewed, Galle District UNP group leader Bandulalal Bandarigoda acknowledged the political assistance, provided by Galle District UNP MP Wajira Abeywardene and said that he has planned to develop the Tourism industry at Yala, Kirinda, Tangalle, Hambantota in the Southern province and earn foreign exchange, while providing jobs to unemployed youth in the province.

He under-scored the importance of establishing an another university in the Southern Province and also a few vocational training centres, considering the large number of Advanced Level qualified students passing out from Southern schools.

Hambantota District UNP group leader Somapala Ekanayake said the majority people in the District are engaged in agricultural activities and steps will be taken to improve their livelihood by establishing farmer committees. “So that, farmers could submit their grievances to the Provincial Council through such committees. New bank loan schemes would also be introduced for farmers to encourage their children to engage in agriculture, cattle breading and poultry farming,”.

He said the health sector in the Southern Province would also be developed by providing adequate medical equipment to existing hospitals and also establishing a few hospitals for the benefit of ruralfolk who now visit Galle to seek treatment.