Provincial development a key factor - Dr. Amunugama

by a special correspondent

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Sarath Amunugama said their major promise at the general polls is provincial development. This is a key factor to be achieved in eradicating inequality prevailing in the social strata as 54 per cent of our resources are limited to only three districts - Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the Polgahawela new District Secretariat complex constructed at a cost of Rs. 40 million. He said most of the big companies, trade zones, universities and government offices are based in these districts. In every aspect the Western province seems to be the centre of attraction in the whole country.

That is why we are keen to upgrade the standards of the Provincial Councils and to allocate more money to fulfil the requirements of the rural masses, and to prepare a level field to every citizen in this country.

He said "we must help the people who are facing obstacles. For that a balanced development is needed. Though someone is born and bred in a remote area they should not be discriminated against or considered as a less privileged group. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has come forward to rectify this social inequality with determination because he himself has experienced it as a member of the rural underprivileged sector".

The Minister said he couldn't speak about rural development without implementing the infrastructure facilities of the area. How could we talk of balanced development without constructing good motorable roads, buildings and supplying electricity.

He said provincial administration pays key attention to development projects in the division.

That is one of the biggest challenges faced by the public services.

The Minister said the hope of the parents of the country is a brighter future for their children. But the one and only solution lies in rapid development. We could march forward to a new era through the path of rapid development.

He said the Government's new concept of progress is based on a five-centered program. The history of our party also gives evidence of Pancha Maha Balavegaya (Five major forces) which boosted the morale of the SLFP in the late 50s. The five-centred development program is the far-sighted version of the Mahinda Chinthana, he said.

"As we have successfully brought to an end the prolonged war in an unprecedented manner, similarly in the coming seven years our all out battle is to overcome the financial war and take the country to a prosperous era, Dr. Amunugama said.