Majority support President’s policies - Analysts

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won the election with a majority of over one million votes which goes to prove that he has won the confidence of the masses as well as the Colombo based business community.

It is also ample proof that the majority stands and supports his policies, according to analysts. All Sri Lankans have paid tribute to President Rajapaksa for winning the 30-year war against the LTTE and ushering peace to the small island nation. Now it is time for all Sri Lankans to shed differences, be it party or otherwise and get together to develop the country for the benefit of future generations, they said.

During his first term as President while fighting a ruthless war President Rajapaksa initiated many development projects including the Hambantota and Oluvil port projects and the Mattala Airport project. In addition the power projects that were at a standstill due to bureaucracy were launched due to his far thinking policies. The southern expressway too is scheduled to be completed soon connecting Colombo and the South of the country. In addition the railway line connecting the North and Colombo will also be completed by next year.

It will not only help the easy transportation of people but also the harvest from the North to the capital as well as to the South. The Rural Industries and Self-Employment Ministry will provide training, advanced technology and facilities to improve the living standards of the people in the North through the implementation of small and medium scale industries and self-employment opportunities.

Plans are under way to construct two Shilpa Gammana in the Northern and Eastern provinces following requests from handicraftsmen in the area.

The Northern Provincial handicraft exhibition which had not been conducted due to the conflict situation was conducted last year where forty items of prize winners were displayed at the ‘Shilpa 2009’ national handicraft exhibition. Two training programs were conducted at the Menik Farm, providing training for 69 beneficiaries for self-employment. A grape juice plant in Tirappane and a crab breeding project at Uuri were also implemented. Nineteen projects were launched under the Uthuru Vasanthaya 180-day program.

In line with the Uthuru Vasanthaya two-year-plan 15 production villages will be implemented at a cost of Rs. 150 million. Approximately 750 citizens will benefit under this program.

The Achchuweli Industry Zone destroyed by terrorists will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs.174 million and over 2,000 people will benefit by it. Land will be reserved to set up another industrial zone in Poonthottam.