Their lot will be improved:

Farmers, the backbone of rural economy - NCP winner

By Mohammed NAALIR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only leader who brought giant development projects to the North Central Province (NCP), said S. M. Ranjith, the winning candidate of the UPFA at the North Central Provincial Council election, in an interview with Sunday Observer.

I take this opportunity to pay my sincere gratitude to trade unions, the state sector and private sector employees, teachers and farmers who helped me to attain this victory.

Q: You secured 105,232 preferential votes, placing the former NCP Chief Minister at second place. This is a remarkable victory when compared to the chief candidates of other two provinces. What was the secret behind this victory?

A: The people in the province know the real situation. So they gave their valuable votes for my victory. I am close to the village community and farmers. So I know the heart-beat of these people. As I am familiar with the life pattern of farmers I will be able to implement massive development projects in the agriculture sector knowing the contemporary need.

The people were confident that I will do my job well. Those grounds were the reasons for my victory.

There was no conspiracy behind my victory. Some factions who were unable to accept my victory, are making baseless allegations that I conspired to win the election. I believe a non violent way is the only means to get close to the people. I follow this method even in politics. I need not conspire and create violence to win. My brother, Minister S. M. Chandrasena has also taught me the same lesson.

Farmers are the backbone of the provincial economy. I will provide all assistance to improve the living and economic standards of farmers in the province.

Q: Sustainable development of the country and livelihood development of people are the goals of the “Mahinda Chinthana”. Can you explain the future development plans in the province?

A: Rajarata was famous for agriculture for centuries. It began since the advent of Aryans to Sri Lanka. According to statistics nearly 80 percent of the population are farmers. I was not content with this statistics. I thought it must be nearly 90 percent.

Provincial Councils are responsible to implement development projects in the district based on the availability of resources. Priority will be given to the agriculture sector in the development process of the North Central province. Other sectors will also be developed similarly. There were certain shortcomings in the development process in the past.

Farmers who sow paddy with the help of rain water experience a dearth of water in the Yala Season as the water stored in the small tanks was only sufficient for the Maha Season. A large area of cultivable land is given up during the Yala Season due to this. A sustainable solution should be found to this problem.

The Provincial Council has the capability to solve these problems while rectifying shortcomings. Cultivable lands should be facilitated in the Maha and Yala Seasons. Then only our goals can be achieved. The living and economic standards of farmers too will rise.

People accuse that the provincial council failed to formulate a proper mechanism to solve farmers’ problems. Prosperous lands can’t be abandoned in the Yala Season. Increasing the storage capacity of small tanks is the only means to solve this problem. Modern technology is not required, except improving fundamental facilities for farmers. The fertiliser subsidy was granted only for paddy cultivation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken steps to provide fertiliser for additional crops at Rs. 350. Attention will be paid to develop other industries too similar to the agriculture sector.

Q: A large area of cultivable land is abandoned in the province every year in the Yala Season due to the scarcity of water. What would be the solution for this issue?

A: The small scale tanks were deepened while removing mud to store more water to facilitate paddy cultivation even during the Yala Season. There is no need to raise the height of bunds. The bunds, dams and spills were maintained properly in the past. But we couldn’t deepen the tanks. But this time the Government successfully removed mud from the reservoirs and tanks in the province while deepening them.

Q: Kidney disease threat is increasing day by day in the Anuradhapura district. What kind of steps could be taken to eliminate this disease from the district?

A: Rambewa, Kahatagasthikiliya, Padaviya, Horowapothana and Kebithigollawa areas have been severely affected by kidney disease. Around thousand kidney patients have been identified in the Anuradhapura district. But this number might have gone up. A large number of persons die of kidney disease every year in the district. This situation should be changed.

Plans are afoot to implement pure drinking water supply projects in every villages in the district. Health awareness campaigns are crucial at the moment. The people must be made aware of kidney disease and the preventive measures.

The North Central Provincial Council has responsibility to solve this issue. The causes for this disease yet to be found. We have to worked out permanent plans through a thorough studies to protect the people from kidney disease.

Q: There is a favourable climate in the province for fruit cultivation. Do you plan to promote fruit production in the province?

A: The Anuradhapura district is suitable for the cultivation of various fruit items. I have planned to set up fruit parks in the close proximity of small tanks. The damaged tanks will also be developed for this purpose.

A huge quantity of fruits are going waste every year without consuming. We plan to set up a fruit processing plant in Anuradhapura district. A large number of direct and indirect employments can be generated.

Q: There is a allegation from the opposition that the Government failed to implement drinking water supply projects in the kidney disease affected areas. What is your comment on this allegation?

A: A drinking water supply projects will be implemented with the assistance from Japanese Government in Anuradhapura district covering Kebithigollewa, Medawachchiya Rambewa, Horowapothana and Kahatagasthikiliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

A large number of families in these areas will benefit once the proposed project is completed. I also took part in several rounds of discussions with relevant authorities in relation to the implementation of this project.

The area for the proposed water treatment plant is being measured. Water for the plant will be taken from Pahala Yan Oya and Kanagarawa irrigation system.

We hope to implement several drinking water supply projects in the province targeting the rural community.

Q: While hygiene and fresh food items are available in the province, still the people are depending on imported foods. How to promote the consumption of locally produced food items?

A: The consumption of locally produced food items are increasing gradually. The demand for rice based products are also increasing considerably when compared to imported food items.

We have enough labour resources to produce required food items ourselves. We have the ability to go for a new program. Regional economy will improve while the province become self-sufficient in food production.

Q: You secured highest preferential votes when compared to the Chief candidates in the in Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provinces. You have a greater responsibility towards their well-being. What is your comment?

A: I will never stay away to serve the people in the province. I will treat Sinhalese, Muslims and other minor communities equally. There is no stepmother treat in my vocabulary.

I will focus attention towards the well-being of the large number of farmers in the province. Setting up a fund to help farmers during drought and floods is good.

Q :Do you have any plans to implement mid-term and long-term crop cultivation programs in the province?

A: Of course, I am keen to introduce mid-term and long-term crops in the province. The Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is ready to provide all assistance including technology and materials to commence long-term and mid-term crop cultivation in the province.

I have also asked him to implement this project under the “Divi Neguma” program.

It will help to further improve the living and economic standards of farmers. Cultivating long term crops will have a positive impact on the climatic changes. Through the cultivation of permanent crops drought situations can also be prevented.