He made these remarks at a meeting with the members of the Task Forces of above programs, held Thursday (Aug. 20) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The directors and Ministry Secretaries who are heading these Task Forces presented the progress of their programs to the President.

The local food production program which makes the country self-sufficient will be implemented in several phases. The programs will be put into practice under the units such as agricultural research, qualitative applications and efficient sales system.

The President pointed out on the importance of encouraging farmers to cultivate all uncultivated farmlands. He recalled that the agrarian services act also states the importance of educating farmers on this regard.

The environment preservation program will be implemented under sub programs on environmental issues, soil erosion, elephant-human conflict and coast conservation.

President Sirisena pointing out that the programs he initiated during his time as the Minister of Environment to minimize the use of polythene which is severely affecting the environment, rigorously have been deactivated by now. He directed the officials to revive these programs.

Attention was also paid on the progress of the program for chronicle kidney disease which has been a huge social tragedy.

The plans for drug prevention which will be implemented island-wide in the future were also presented at this occasion.

The President pointed out that all these responsibilities cannot be solved by any ministry or institution alone. He emphasized this programs should achieve their objectives with the participation of everybody for the future of this country.