The President was speaking at the inauguration of the project to renovate ‘Vam Ivuru Ela’ in Minipe yesterday (Oct. 07). The project is carried out under the government’s program to renovate the irrigation system built by the kings in the history. These irrigational systems will be renovated, utilizing of modern irrigation technology.
“Though some groups are criticizing the freedom and democracy in the country even while enjoying them, we will build the country by getting together with those who like to work for the country”, he said.
“Some people today are giving many media statements as if the government is going to collapse before the sunrise tomorrow. After an election of a government, everyone’s responsibility is not just to criticize the government but to support that government for the betterment of the country and the people.
“Some groups say that the government is trying to separate the country by betraying it. They say that the Buddhism is going to lose its position due to the new constitution. And also they say the government is removing the military camps in the North. I kindly invite them to meet me and show me where these things are happen”, the President further said.
“To build a strong economy in the country we should strengthen the life of the farmers and their economy. Though the country is getting many investments the historical evidence of the economy of the country is agriculture”, he pointed out.
“The government is committed to strengthen the farmers’ lives and their economy. We have allocated a huge amount of grants for large irrigation and small irrigation. It is the responsibility of the representatives of the farmer unions to reap benefits of it”, he stated.
The Project works commenced at the left bank of the Minipe Canal in the Hasalaka and the President removed the first lump of earth to mark the commencement of this project.
A sapling also planted to mark the start of the project works.
The President also said that a special project will be implemented without any hesitation to hand over the title deeds to Minipe farming community as per the request made by them presenting a scroll to the President.
The estimated cost for this project is Rs 2,600 million and the Asian Development Bank will provide the financial assistance in this regard.
The Project is expected to complete within four years, and this will benefit more than 15,000 farming families in Minipe.
When this project is completed the farmers will get an opportunity to cultivate in both seasons and yield more crops in 7,500 hectares of land in Minipe.
President Sirisena also engaged in a cordial discussion with the farmers and stated that it is the responsibility of politicians, state officials as well as the leaders of the Farming Association to review the projects works to ascertain whether the works are being carried out properly.
Ministers and MPs including former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Ministers Vijith Wijayamuni de Soyza, S.B. Dissanayake, State Minister Lakshman Seneviratne, Deputy Ministers Anuradha Jayaratne, Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Governor of the Central Province, Niluka Ekanayake, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, State officials, representatives of the Farming Association and many others participated in this event.
