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Government to initiate new projects to help rural communities to strengthen the national economy – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is currently working to initiate new projects across every area of Sri Lanka and to bring the necessary investments to rural areas in order to improve the participation of the communities in strengthening the national economy.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held on Saturday (12th) in Nanattan, Mannar.
Prime Minister further stated:
“Our country has reached a decisive point. The government of the National People’s Power (NPP) understands the expectations of the people. The general public came together despite the ethnic and religious barriers to exercise their voting right against corruption in politics that existed in this country. Consequently, Anura Kumara Dissanayake was able to become the President in 2024. A month later, we formed a Parliament that will initiate in changing the history. Today, we have a government made up of 159 members. There is now a strong group in Parliament standing against corruption and a government that represents all ethnicities, religions, and regions. For the first time in history, we have formed a government made by a single party that represents everyone. The people are the ones who made this victory possible and they are the true victors in this cause.
We are committed to protecting the trust the people have placed in us and to fulfill their expectations.
You are well aware of how weak the economy was when we came to power. Officially, we had been declared a bankrupt nation before the world. For many years, Sri Lanka had no economic growth and was in a debt-ridden economy. The tourism sector had collapsed. Due to the corruption in political authority, investors were unwilling to invest the country. Today, we have changed all that. We have managed to steer the economy towards growth leading to investments being restored while the confidence in Sri Lanka is increasing internationally.
We are working to start new projects in every area of Sri Lanka to bring the necessary investments to the rural sector, with the aim of improving the participation of rural communities in the national economy.
The first budget of the NPP government has passed. Even though the economy is not yet strong, we focused on two main priorities in the budget: one was to develop infrastructure necessary for economic growth, and the other was to provide relief to people burdened by economic hardships. That’s why we have increased and extended the period of Aswesuma benefits. Further, vouchers to buy schoolbooks was distributed at schools with less than 300 students.
Previous governments were a burden to the people. But today, we have a very small Cabinet of Ministers. The government is no longer a burden to the people. We have reduced expenses, minimized losses, and eliminated corruption.
Because the government is not a burden to the people, it was able to provide relief to the people. Through this budget, the basic salaries of the public service has been increased. They have been given the opportunity to work freely. Decisions are now made on statistical data and not based on political preferences. What we expect is an independent public service. We are in need of a people-centered government as well as a public service which should be an efficient, corruption-free and people-sensitive. We have already created the necessary environment for that.
In order to develop the rural economy, the government has allocated a large amount of funding through this year’s budget. But, to ensure that these allocations are used properly to serve the people, the local government institutions need to be cleaned up. If the leaders who represents the villages are corrupt, the funds allocated will become worthless. That is why the upcoming local government elections has become extremely significant and decisive.”
The event was attended by the Members of Parliament Jegadeeswaran and S .Thilakanadan, public representatives, and candidates of local government election representing the NPP.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
A land distribution programme benefiting families displaced by disaster in the Kandy District was held on April 24 at the Kandy District Secretariat, with 44 affected households receiving plots in the Hanthana area.
The initiative targeted residents of the Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat division whose homes were completely destroyed in a recent disaster, leaving them without permanent shelter.
The event was presided over by Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation K. D. Lalkantha, who said arrangements had been made to provide each beneficiary with Rs. 5 million in instalments through the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat to support the construction of new homes.
He noted that the land parcels had been identified from an estate in the Hanthana area and subsequently subdivided into demarcated plots for distribution among the recipients.
Members of Parliament representing the Kandy District from the NPP, along with Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary Amila Navaratne, were among those present. Government officials and beneficiaries also attended the event.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to provide permanent housing solutions and restore livelihoods for families affected by natural disasters in the region.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
Text and Pic by Nishendra Silva
The Sri Lanka Police Scout Division was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held recently at Police Headquarters, marking a significant step towards integrating scouting principles within the police service.
The event was presided over by IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya and Chief Scout Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Manoj Nanayakkara. The initiative to establish the new division was conceptualised by Nanayakkara as part of efforts to promote leadership, discipline and community engagement within the police force.
A high-level delegation from the Sri Lanka Scout Association was present, including its President Ransiri Perera, National Training Commissioner Padmalal Perera, and National Programme Commissioner Geeth Ramesh. Assistant Chief Commissioners Chandrani Fernando, Deshan Milinda and Sampath Kariyawasam were also in attendance, along with Training Directors Indrajith Ramanayake and Tilakman Pathmasiri.
Representing the Sri Lanka Police were several senior officials, including Senior DIG (Administration) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG (Western Province) Sajeewa Medawatta, and Senior DIG (Support Services) Rajitha Sri Daminda.
Senior DIG (Training and Higher Training) Sampath Kumara Liyanage, who has been appointed to head the newly formed Police Scout Division, was also present. He is expected to oversee the launch and ongoing operations of police scouting activities, supported by other senior officers tasked with implementing the initiative.
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