SOME MINISTERS ALSO INVOLVED IN MUTHURAJAWELA DESTRUCTION - PREZ

BY SANDUN A. JAYASEKERA

President Maithripala Sirisena said that some Ministers in the present government are also involved in the environmental destruction in Muthurajawela, which is a valuable asset of the Gampaha District.

At the closing ceremony of the “Rata Wenuwen Ekata Sitimu” (Let’s Stand for the Country) Gampaha District programme held at Divulapitiya Public Playground, yesterday, President Sirisena said that this colossal environmental catastrophe should be prevented for the future of the country. He further said that the Attorney General has informed him that the proposal to abolish the death penalty presented to Parliament as a private member motion is not legal. The President pointed out that the drug dealers, criminals and rapists are the achievers when voices are raised against the anti-drug war, and said he will not allow them to achieve their objectives. The 06th “Let’s Stand for the Country” programme commenced on July 29th centering the Gampaha District, was implemented across 13 Divisional Secretariat Divisions throughout the 6 days and Rs.123 million has been spent to launch over 4,000 programmes. On the President’s instructions, the Presidential Secretariat commenced the ‘Let’s stand together for the country’ Programme with the objective of monitoring the implementation and the progress of national development projects such as Grama Shakthi National Programme, National Drug Prevention Programme, Protect Children National Programme, National Chronic Kidney Prevention Programme, National Food Production Programme and Environment Protection Programme. This programme will also help to identify the public issues existing at the government institutions, and work to solve these issues with maximum efficiency through the state mechanism.

A number of benefits were distributed including issuing ‘Gama Rekuma’ registration certificates and distribution of cheques worth Rs. 200,000 under Samurdhi Programme, donation of school equipment, grants to the art institute, donation of selfemployment kits and donations by Ranaviru Seva Authority. The President handed over donations for 06 water resource conservation projects under “Punarudaya” national programme of environment protection. Letters of Responsibility were also handed over to officials of the ‘Smart Sri Lanka’ Project. Governor of Western Province A.J.M. Muzammil, State Minister Ajith Mannapperuma, Parliament Member Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Harshana Rajakaruna, Chandana Jayakody, Ajith Basnayake, and several provincial political representatives and Secretary to the President Udaya R. Senevirathne, District Secretary Sunil Jayalath, public and private sector officials , representatives of rural voluntary organizations and public welfare organization were also present at the event.

Rs.123 million has been spent to launch over 4,000 programmes