Unprecedented development growth - Prime Minister

An economically strong society can be built by utilising the facilities provided by the government in a more efficient manner, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said.

He said so while participating in several public awareness programs on the Divi Neguma program held at the Gampaha National Heritage Centre and the Wickramabahu Vidyalaya auditorium yesterday.

The Prime Minister said the government launched several programs to upgrade the economic standards of the people as a large number were still in the low income group despite various facilities provided by the government.

He said the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had launched massive development programs in the country, unprecedented by even the ancient Sinhala kings.

“Apart from the developmentof educational, health, IT and other infrastructure facilities it had been planned to build a civilian domestic airport in every district in addition to the Ruhunu Magampura International Airport,” he said.

“The government also launched several programs to develop moral and spiritual standards among the people concurrent to the 2,600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi,” Prime Minister Jayaratne said.“Whatever high positions we hold in society, we should cater to public needs without trying to build our own nests.

People will never pardon us if we resorted to anti-social activities that deprived the people’s sovereign rights. This applies equally to persons holding high posts in the judiciary too,” he said.

Ven Bowala Wimaladhamma Thera, Ven Aluthgama Dhammasara Thera, Environment Deputy Minister A.R.M. Abdul Cader, Provincial Council member Nissanka Herath, Prime Minister’s Private Secretary Anuradha Jayaratne and Provincial and Local Council members were also present.