D.S. committed to agriculture - Imthiyas

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The launching of irrigation projects and renovation of abandoned tanks were given prominent place by former Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake to convert the country in to an agricultural colony, said former Media Minister Imthiyas Bakeer Markar, in his keynote address at the D.S. Senanayake commemorative meeting last week.

The meeting was held opposite the D.S. Senanayake statue at the Independence Square to coincide with the 125th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, MPs Rukman Senanayake, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Ravi Karunanayaka and former MP Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku placed floral tributes at the statue.

Bakeer Markar highlighted the massive agricultural drive, launched by the late Prime Minister to make the country self-sufficient in agriculture. He said the late Premier was committed to develop agriculture.

He also said late Premier travelled to agricultural areas extensively to look into the needs and grievances of the farmer community.

"During his tenure in the State Council, he introduced a number of important Acts such as the Land Act, the Education Act and the most important Health Act for the benefit of the village folk".

He said if we had implemented the agricultural policies of the former Premier, our country would have been self-sufficient in all agricultural products.

"The late Premier took steps to unite all ethnic groups and treat them as members of one family," he said.

Former Minister Bakeer Markar also mentioned that the present day generation must be educated about the sacrifices made by D.S. Senanayake and other leaders to free the country from foreign rule.