Multi-party coalition's master plan for East

by P. Krishnaswamy

Eastern PC Chief Minister (CM) Naseer Ahamed told the Sunday Observer that he is drawing up a master plan on development of all areas and all sectors, with special focus on fisheries and agriculture, and the plan would be implemented soon. The “Invest in the East” program started by him as Minister of the PC last year would also be promoted for more direct investments from international and local business communities to develop the tourism and hospitality industries in the province, he said, adding direct investments would be encouraged in the other sectors as well where local resources could be utilised for generating employment opportunities and revenue. He said that he encountered many obstacles last year in implementing the programs but now as CM he would now be in a position to implement them successfully. The council's policies and all development programs will be in keeping with President Maithripala Sirisena's request to the people's representatives, during his recent visit to the province, to promote mutual communal and religious understanding and brotherhood, the CM said.

As a precursor to President Maithripala Sirisena's lofty objective of forming a national government based on equitable rights and opportunities to all citizens alike, the Eastern Provincial Council (PC) is now functioning as a democratic body representing all major political parties and all communities of the region, he said. The TNA has pledged its fullest support and cooperation which he considered as a great achievement in the political history of the province, he said. Their unity will have a tremendous impact on development, contributing to an accelerated pace in all areas of development and all benefits would be evenly distributed among the people of all communities, he said.

The two TNA Ministers of the Council's cabinet K. Thurairajasingham, holding the portfolios of Agriculture and Irrigation and S.Thandayuthapani, holding the portfolios of Education and IT expressing identical views to the Sunday Observer on the party's decision to join the council administration said that their joining the cabinet and the attitude of compromise never meant that their party would deviate in manner on its stance with regard to a solution to the Tamil problem and adequate power devolution. They joined in spite of their disappointment over the well-deserved CM's post in the best interests of communal unity, the needs of their community that had not held any authority in the council administration for long and to prove their credibility by all three communities who lived in almost equal numbers in the province.

The SLMC, with its seven seats, has the support of TNA's 11 members, the four members of the UNP and and five from the UPFA making it an overwhelming majority of 27 to form the administration. The SLMC is holding the CM's position and also the Ministry of Health. UPFA member Ariywathy Galapathi is holding the Ministry of Lands and Highways. The nine UPFA members and one from the National Freedom Front (NFF) are in the opposition but council sources said that their exact position will be known on March 24 when the council meets next.