News
President wants to get rid of middlemen for the benefit of both producer and consumer
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stressed the need to put in place a mechanism to help both the producer and the consumer by ensuring that commodities are reasonably priced.
The President pointed out that the objective could be realised by creating conditions for farmers to sell their produce without the involvement of middlemen.
He said so during a discussion with the Committee on Cost of Living at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.
The President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa focused on strengthening measures to ensure the uninterrupted distribution of essential consumer goods across the country without suffering a shortage.
President Rajapaksa, taking both current living conditions and difficulties associated with COVID-19 pandemic into account, removed the import duties imposed on several essential goods such as dhal, canned fish, onions and sugar on Tuesday (October 13).
The President also instructed officials to take steps to turn uncultivated lands into coconut cultivations. The government has commenced a campaign to plant coconut saplings on 50,000 acres.
Head of the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival, Basil Rajapaksa noted that a proper strategy was being implemented to produce vegetables, fruits and eggs to meet the consumer demand within the area itself.
The Ministry of Health has studied the daily consumer demand of a household. “We have devised plans to grow vegetables, fruits in home gardens of low income families and fulfill the demand for eggs through domestic poultry farms as a measure to uplift their lives.” Basil Rajapaksa added.
The officials present at the discussion said paddy harvest of the Yala and Maha seasons this year had been favourable compared to the last year. President Rajapaksa highlighted the need for introducing new methods to purchase paddy harvest in the future.
It was also stated during the discussion that a special programme had been planned to transport fruits, vegetables and fertiliser via trains with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Railways.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers Bandula Gunawardane, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Douglas Devananda, State Ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Arundika Fernando, Head of the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretaries of the Cabinet and State Ministries and the members of the Committee of the Cost of Living were also present at the discussion.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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