Crowds throng Deyata Kirula exhibition

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Today is the third day of the 8th "Deyata Kirula" national development exhibition. Security has been beefed up in the Kuliyapitiya city to afford protection to those who visit the exhibition. Thousands of people from various parts of the country have thronged in Kuliyapitiya city to view the exhibition. The exhibition which started last Friday is expected to conclude on February 28.

Several events have been organised in line with the exhibition. Various projects which were implemented in the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts will be commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

After inaugurating the exhibition President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Presidential Secretariat which has been constructed at the exhibition site.

The Philatelic Bureau issued a commemorative stamp to mark the 8th Deyata Kirula exhibition. Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunga presented the first stamp and the first day cover to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Foreign Diplomats, Religious Prelates, Political Leader, top ranking Government officers, artistes, school children and a large number of people from the North Western Province visited the exhibition.

The exhibition site is in 162 acres belonging to been Wayamba University, Kuliyapitiya Technical College and central College. Over 500 stalls have been set up for spectators.

President Mahinda addressing the gathering after inaugurating the exhibition said that without challenges the country cannot be developed. "We have faced many challenges and we are ready to face any challenge against us", he said.

President Rajapaksa said "In our journey to make Sri Lanka a wonder of Asia we will happen to pass so many hurdles and face criticisms which are levelled against us. In the past we developed the country while facing various problems including terrorism. We successfully eliminated terrorism implementing development projects simultaneously. But those who governed the country in the past only to govern the country without finding solution to the problems remained in the country.

Even though some find fault with us, the others have applauded the rapid development taking place in Sri Lanka and have recognised that Sri Lanka can be taken as a model for development.

The Hettipola bus stand, Kuliyapitiya court complex, Hettipola market complex, Mahindodaya Technical Laboratory constructed at Hettipola Central College were opened by the President yesterday (22).

President Rajapaksa also provided medical equipment to the Kuliyapitiya General Hospital while distributing land deeds to people who had not deeds so far at a ceremony held at Wayamba University Auditorium.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who met the Deyata Kirula business community at Kandyan Reach Hotel, Kurunegala held prosperous discussions last night. Awards were also presented to them by the President.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to open the two storied administrative unit and Mahindodaya Technical laboratory at

Mahagattegama Central College. a two storied building at Vanathavillu Bandaranayaka Maha Vidyalaya, Mahindodaya Technical laboratory, developed Palaviya Kalpitiya road and a Mahindodaya Technical Laboratory at Chilaw Hela Owatawana Madya Maha Vidyalaya today (23).

Rupees 20 worth lottery ticket issued by the National Lottery Board can be used as gate pass.

Major livelihood and infrastructure development projects have been implemented in the Kurunegala, Puttalam and Kegalle districts at a cost of Rs. 50,000 million in line with the 8th Deyata Kirula National exhibition.