Mega projects will proceed under a Sajith administration

• Hints of joint venture between SL and Indian Aviation Authorities
• Over 9,000 schools have reaped the harvest of  ‘Langama Pasala Hondama Pasala’

By Yohan Perera 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday mega projects launched by the incumbent government would proceed under an administration spearheaded by New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.  

Addressing a forum organised by ‘Nursing Professionals for a New Sri Lanka’ in Colombo yesterday, the premier said people needed to decide whether they wanted mega development projects planned by the present regime implemented. 

“We have embarked on extending the Southern expressway up to Hambantota. We then had to look at the Mattala Airport. A joint venture will be formed between the Sri Lankan and Indian Aviation Authorities to run it. Also, we have to go for the construction of the Northern Jetty of Colombo Port. There will be a number of economic zones. There will also be six tourism zones. Are we going to implement these or not? These will go ahead if people elect Mr. Premadasa to executive presidency. 

“No other government spent so much for education and healthcare like the present one. Over 9,000 schools have reaped the harvest of the ‘Langama Pasala Hondama Pasala’ programme. Teachers are being trained today. There are no untrained teachers in this sector. Schoolchildren are given Suraksha insurance scheme. Transfers and promotions have been depoliticised. These and examinations are conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Salaries and allowances have been increased. All these have been done during a difficult period. We inherited a crisis-stricken economy. However, the increase in salaries did not stop the Samurdi scheme. 

“We could have said we cannot do all these and blamed the previous government, but we did not do so. We pledged to stabilise the economy and gave all incentives. The economy is stable. We can borrow but that is not sufficient. We have to pay off debts within the next decade. Debt cannot be handed over to the next generation. Therefore, it is essential to expedite development,” he said.

• Schoolchildren given Suraksha insurance scheme; transfers and promotions depoliticised
• Says we inherited a crisis-stricken economy, but the increase in salaries did not stop Samurdi scheme

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and trade unionist Saman Ratnariya at the forum held yesterday by ‘Nursing Professionals for a New Sri Lanka.’
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana