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Rural roads in the Kegalla district will be developed at a cost of 400 million rupees

2010-09-06T11:14:13Z

The Ministry of Economic Development has allocated a sum of 400 million rupees to develop rural roads in the Kegalla district. Under these funds 15 rural roads are to be developed and carpeted. One of the major project of this road development programme is Alauwa - Batuwatta road which is a shortcut to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. A sum of 130 million rupees will be spent on the development of this road.

The government allocates one million rupees for the development in each village.

2010-09-06T11:13:19Z

Ministry of Finance and Policy Planning stresses the need to have a new plan to carry out development programmes at village level. There are 40,000 Grama Niladari Divisions in the island. Deputy Minister Sarath Amunugama says the government has allocated a sum of one million rupees for the development plans in each Grama Niladari Division. Unless there is a proper plan the money will be wasted. The Deputy Minister said that the money allocated to Thumpane Pradeshiya Sabha last year has not been used for any purpose and sent back to the treasury. This was owing to the inefficiency of the officials in that Pradeshiya Sabha. To streamline rural development projects three youths from each village will be selected and given a training to monitor the development activities in the respective village.

The Trade Unions Joint Alliance will also support the amendment.

2010-09-06T11:12:30Z

The Trade Unions Joint Alliance extends support for the proposed constitutional amendment. Representatives of more than 40 trade unions registered under the alliance met today under the patronage of its Chairman, Western Provincial Governor Alavi Moulana today to take this decision. Issuing a communiqué governor Alavi Moulana said the proposed constitutional amendment is essential to accelerate the development of the country. Mr. Moulana further said that defeated politicians cannot understand the revival taken place in the island under the leadership of the President. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance Minister Susil Premajayanth says the aim of the proposed constitutional amendment is not to gain political mileage but to secure the sovereignty of the people. He dismisses the allegations levelled against the government by the opposition that the amendment will pave the way for dictatorship in the island. The opposition has already accepted that President Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot be defeated by the next presidential election. According to the new amendment the president must participate in the parliamentary sessions in every three months. This will increase the relation ship between the parliament and executive presidency. This new amendment will lead to empower democracy.

Parliamentarian of the leftists parties in the government have decided to vote for the constitutional amendment.

2010-09-06T10:24:22Z

The five parliamentarians of the three leftist member parties of the UPFA have decided to vote for the proposed constitutional amendment. Members of the Democratic Leftist Front Ministers Professor Tissa Witharana and DEW.Gunasekara, Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Parliamentarians Wasudeva Nanayakkara and Y.G.Padmasiri have taken this decision following a discussion held at the Communist Party Headquarters today. Mr. Wasudeva Nanayakkara said that they are against the proposed constitutional amendment as a matter of policy. However, they will vote for the amendment since they are reluctant to be a part of the anti government elements.

All branches of the SLFP trade unions in state institutions will support the constitutional amendment.

2010-09-06T08:40:13Z

Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa says all branches of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Workers’ Union established in public corporations, statutory boards and privatized institutions will support the constitutional amendment. At a press briefing held in his Ministry today he said a peaceful rally will be held at the parliamentary circle next Wednesday in this connection. All members of these branches will participate at the rally to express support of the working class for the amendment. General Secretary of the SLFP Trade Union Lesley Devendra said the working class should support the amendment since it will lead to the rapid progress in the country.

The government stresses that the aim of the new constitutional amendment is to secure the public franchise.

2010-09-06T08:39:34Z

General Secretary of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance Minister Susil Premajayanth says the aim of the proposed constitutional amendment is not to gain political mileage but to secure the public franchise in the country. Issuing a communiqué he dismiss the allegations leveled against the government by the opposition that the amendment will pave the way for dictatorship in the island. The opposition has already accepted that President Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot be defeated by the next presidential election. The President obtained 58 percent majority of votes at the last election. In addition the UPFA has managed to win 144 parliamentary seats at the last general election. Therefore, it is ridicules that opposition says the government has no public mandate.

According to the new amendment the president must participate in the parliamentary sessions in every three months. This will increase the relation ship between the parliament and executive presidency. This new amendment will lead to empower the democracy and accelerate development in the country. The cabinet is responsible for appointment, transfers and other policy decisions on the public service. The Minister stressed that the amendment will also lead to create a satisfactory public service in the country.

The visiting Indian Army Chief meets the President.

2010-09-06T08:38:55Z

The Indian Army Chief, General V. K. Singh has met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees this morning. They discussed matters pertaining to enhance bilateral security cooperation.

General V.K. Singh also met Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathne at the Prime Minister’s Office today. The Prime Minister extended gratitude to the Indian government for the support extended resettlement of IDPs in the North and East. Mr. Singh said that India will maintain strong relationship with Sri Lanka. He further said that the security cooperation between the two countries is exemplary to the entire Asian region.
Mr. Singh held talks with the Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris as well and had held talks. He is scheduled to pay tribute to the war heroes’ monument in Battaramulla this evening.

The President will preside over tomorrows ceremony to handover deeds to 1200 house recipients.

2010-09-06T02:13:14Z

President Mahinda Rajapakse will preside over a ceremony to present deeds to one thousand two hundred house recipients selected on district basis at the temple trees tomorrow.

It has been reiterated that country’s democracy will be further strengthened through the proposed constitutional amendment.

2010-09-06T02:12:04Z

Minister Athauda Senevirathne says the country’s democracy will be further strengthened through the proposed constitutional amendment. This will by no means extend the period of the post of the president.

Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter hails the government’s move to amend the constitution.

2010-09-05T21:36:53Z

Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Udugama Buddharakkitha Thera hails the government’s move to amend the constitution.