Some of the officials who are paid by the government neglected the welfare surveys aimed to help the poor. - Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that every government official should contribute to make this miraculously rich earth fertile through farming. He said this while participating at the Badulla district progress review meeting of “Aluth Gamak- Aluth Ratak” the National Integrated Participatory Development Programme held at Badulla District Secretariat today (20).

The Prime Minister in his speech highlighted –

"As a country, we faced various problems in the recent past. Everyone in the government service as well as the farmers gave a great support to cope with it. Today the country has overcome the challenge to some extent. But there are more to achieve.

The District Coordinating Committee becomes a unique mediator in the success of this process.

Taking it as the focal point, steps should be taken to make these activities successful in connection with the provincial council and to reduce waste giving priority to productivity. Regional Development Committees are headed by public representatives. By this time, all the Local Government bodies in the country stand dissollved. The procedures of those functions should be integrated until the election is held.

No matter who the officials are responsible for, the duty should be fulfilled. No official can deny that he cannot fulfill it. I regret to mention that, some officials neglected the welfare surveys. They are also paid by the government. I urge them not to do that.

The International Monetary Fund is expecting to assist Sri Lanka in supporting low-income earners. It is a fact that farmers had a problem. Fertilizers were brought and the farmers were given the necessary concessions. Farmers have accepted that challenge and the country has reached a stage of self-sufficiency in rice that you and I can be happy about. One district has more surplus than another district from paddy production and additional crop cultivation.

Our earth in Sri Lanka is so rich. It is such an asset we have, especially Badulla district. Farming can be done very easily on this earth. All these government officials should help the process.

Urgent action is needed to resolve the problems in plantation sector. It is very essential to prepare and implement a plan that can give confidence about the future of our youth.

Ours is a country that can raise its head over the challenges. International community expressed that Sri Lanka can recover from the crisis faster than other countries which faced the same crisis. As citizens of this country, we should be proud of it. There may be debates and criticisms about various shortcomings. We shall work hand in hand with commitment to achieve the goals we have agreed upon.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Uva Provincial Governor A.J. M. Musammil, Badulla District Coordinating Committee Chairman Sudarshan Denipitiya, State Ministers Tenuka Vidanagamage, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Arvind Kumar, Janaka Vakkambura, Ashoka Priyantha, Public Administration Ministry Secretary Ranjith Ashoka, Badulla District Secretary, Presidential Adviser Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda, Uva Provincial Council Chairman A.M. Buddhadasa and other government officials and community representatives were also present at the event.

Prime Minister’s Media Division.