President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to take measures to create an environment for the consumers to purchase fish at reasonable price while protecting the fisheries industry.

President issued this directive during a meeting convened to discuss matters related to multi-day fishing boat owners held at the Presidential Secretariat today (26).

While emphasizing the importance of involving both the exporter as well as boat owners when planning new measures aimed at an export oriented market the President advised the officials to take immediate steps to prevent illegal fishing.

Representatives of fisheries societies said that the export companies only purchase fish caught by vessels owned by the latter. Since they are engaged only in export- targeted fishing, the non-availability of an adequate market for their harvest is a pressing issue, they said.

President advised officials to find both short and long term solutions to these issues and to involve exporters as well as boats owners in future endeavours. President Rajapaksa instructed the Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation to mediate to purchase the fishing harvest of the multi-day fishing boat owners as a short – term measure.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Douglas Devananda, State Ministers Sanath Nishantha, Kanchana Wijesekara, Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance S. R. Attygalle, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource R. M. I. Ratnayake and several other officials were present at the discussion.

The first of the series of District Coordinating Committee Meetings was held in Rajagiri Len Viharaya, Homadola, Udugama in the Galle District today (27) under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

A large number of issues including urban and rural economic development, disaster management and tourism industry were discussed during the meeting held at one of the poorest villages in the Galle district. Special attention was drawn to political, social and economic problems faced by the people in the area.

President Rajapaksa on his way to the venue of the meeting spoke to the people gathered on the both sides of the road to know what problems they were facing. They complained about negative environmental impact of palm cultivation which had resulted in the scarcity of water in villages. Considering the concerns of the people, President Rajapaksa instructed the officials to discontinue the cultivation of palm.

People should be encouraged to consume more and more coconut oil. This will eventually help development of the coconut cultivation as well. Although, many rubber products manufacturing plants have been started, the supply of materials is not sufficient. President directed officials to take steps to promote rubber as a cash crop cultivation. Attention was also drawn to limit the import of rubber.

The political representatives in the area highlighted the shortage of English teachers in schools in the area. President advised to fill all the existing vacancies immediately and to regularize the recruitment of more teachers for Science and Mathematics subjects.

The shortage of drinking water in several areas including Neluwa, Nagoda and Udugama was also discussed at length. President said to complete community and other water projects which are currently underway by providing necessary funds.

The issue of solid waste management was also one of the major topics of the discussion. The President instructed the Local Government Authorities to assist in the cleansing projects while appraising the public at the local level.

During the meeting attention was also paid to improve the healthcare facilities in rural medical centers. The President instructed the health authorities to provide adequate facilities to the people including the appointment of required number of doctors and nursing staff to those centers.  He pointed out that this would greatly reduce the overcrowding in hospitals located in Colombo and other major cities.

Attention was also paid to the construction of rural roads and bridges, flood control systems  in the Galle district and to provide speedy solutions for the issues arising in the process of urban development.

Galle District occupies a special place in the tourism industry of the country. President Rajapaksa instructed the officials to appraise the relevant authorities regarding the importance of the protecting the tourists visiting beaches in Hikkaduwa. It has also been decided to establish a tourist police station in Unawatuna. Steps must be taken to identify the problems related to the fisheries harbours in the district with the aim of uplifting the fishing industry under the purview of relevant ministries. The President advised the officials of the respective ministries to take immediate action to solve the identified problems of the people.

Some of the issues raised at today’s District Development Committee meeting were immediately solved. These included providing a water bowser to the Udugama Hospital, appointing Principals to schools where there are no Principals and providing funds for small scale water supply projects.

Cabinet and State Ministers, Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senerath and other Ministry Secretaries and officials were present at the District Coordinating Committee meeting headed by Galle District Leader Minister Ramesh Pathirana.

According to a concept of the President a tree planting programme was also initiated with the objective of minimizing environmental pollution in parallel to the District Committee Meetings. The President planted a tree in the temple premises to mark the inauguration of 300-tree planting programme in the Galle District.

The President who attended the meeting called on the Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya and received his blessings.

The contemporary government has been able to introduce multiple policies by the 100^th day of new President's term and for their successful implementation, they should also mark the victory at the general election, said Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, the State Minister of Information and Media at the press briefing held at the ministerial auditorium today (25).

The State Minister said that the government has decided to get deviated from the co-sponsoring to Geneva Human Rights council that the previous government had initiated with no approval of the authorized parties.

The State Minister further added that a special programme has been commenced on 20^th February with a view to expanding the services delivered by the Postal Department with its digitalized approach.  

Moreover a special gazette notification has been released today with the approval of the director of the Consumer Affairs Authority stating maximum retailer price of Rs. 190 per one kilo of imported onions. He further emphasized that stern action would be taken against the sellers who sell them over the prescribed rate. 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that there are instances where low income families do not receive lands even though lands were allocated to them.

The Prime Minister stressed that he will leave no room for such incidents to take place in the future.

He said that the Land Reforms Commission faced a barrage of criticism during the previous regime.

Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. Picture courtesy President’s Media Division

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa completes 100 days of his office as President today.

President Rajapaksa in keeping with his “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” manifesto, has taken steps to introduce a programme for achieving university admission for all students who pass the GCE Advanced Level exam.

Alongside those who are not qualified for higher education, a system has been set up to turn them into experts in various technical fields, a release from President’s Media stated.

The release stated: development of 1,000 schools as national schools are also among the programme introduced by the President for the development of education. Introducing a programme to prepare undergraduate youth for employment by the age of 20, the implementation of the Economic Improvement Programme from January 15 to provide 100,000 unemployed youth in very poor families  under a task force and launching an employment program for unemployed graduates ensuring their direct contribution to the national economy are some of the steps taken by the President, the release stated.

The press release stated as regards the development of public service the President has taken steps to raise the age limit of the unemployed graduates to 45 years to apply for jobs, plans are afoot to take nursing courses and Teacher Training Courses to graduate degrees in the near future. A Task Force on Education has been set up and steps have been taken to introduce educational reforms with transparency. Drafts were prepared to create a National Defense Academy to conduct high-level National Security courses.

Action was taken to designate Heads of State institutions on the advice of a Special Advisory Committee and to display state symbol in government institutions rather than images of the president and ministers of government, and to review the salaries of heads of state institutions, to reduce the salary of SLT chairman from Rs 2 million to Rs 250,000 as part of it.

Appointment of a Committee to conduct a detailed study of MCC Agreement for recommendations, taking steps to regulate over 1,000 NGOs operating against the country, taking steps to restore the massive investment opportunities that the previous government missed, Inviting powerful states to trust and invest in Sri Lanka, commencement of royalty payments for artistes, Reduction of the tax on telephone charges by 25 percent, and reduction of VAT from 15 percent to 8 percent are some of the highlights of the President’s administration, it pointed out.

Furthermore, he directed construction of medium and other expressways.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to implement a programme to control the rising prices of vegetables with the aim of providing relief to consumers while safeguarding farmers.

The rising prices of vegetables have led to an increase in cost of living. During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, today (24) with the officials of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and the Ministry of Trade the President said that there should be an immediate intervention to control it.

Vegetables are brought to Dambulla from the areas of vegetable cultivation. After this process, again vegetables are distributed back to the original areas from Dambulla. Due to waste in transport a large amount of crop go waste. President Rajapaksa pointed out that this procedure is not correct at all. During this meeting the attention was also drawn to explore the possibilities of vegetable cultivation in state lands belonging to plantation companies not only limiting to coconut cultivation.

The President also pointed out that although economic centers were set up to provide relief to consumers and small traders, issues have arisen as these centers are controlled by large scale traders with vested interests.

The government paddy purchasing process was also taken into consideration. These tasks are being carried out successfully with the assistance of the Army. Paddy storage warehouses have been renovated in several areas. The President instructed the officials to repair all other paddy storage warehouses immediately.

During this meeting it was also discussed in detail regarding the issues related to the residents of the Moragahakanda – Kaluganga project. Issues that have arisen due to non-payment to the contract companies also discussed during this meeting.

Attention was also drawn to the protection of projects such as Uma Oya and to create reservations in those areas.

Minister of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development, Chamal Rajapaksa, State Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Ministry Secretaries and Senior Officials participated in this meeting.

The new stretch from Matara-Godagama to Hambantota-Barawakumbuka of the southern expressway, E01, was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

This 56-Kilometer long extension, 30 kilo meters from Godagama to Beliatta and 26 kilo meters from Beliatta to Barawakumbuka has been built at a cost of Rs.169 billion.

With the opening of the new stretch, the southern expressway becomes the first such road in the in South Asia, which directly connects two international airports and two international ports.

Godagama (Matara) – Mattala (Hambantota) full extension of the SEW is 96 kilometers long and will be built at a cost of Rs. 225 billion. This comprises with eight inter-changes namely Godagama, Aparekka, Beliatta, Kahagalla, Angunakolapelessa, Wetiya, Sooriyawewa and Andarawewa.

The Sooriyawewa exit has been built targeting the vehicles reaching the Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium.

This also comprises with 14 bridges and several under and over passes. One such over pass of 700 meters will be helpful to the wild animals in the Aparekka, Dandeniya reserve to cross the road without harm.

The President and the Prime Minister opened the new phase at the Godagama-Palatuwa entrance and left for Barawakumbura through the expressway after ceremonially purchasing the first and the second tickets at the toll gate respectively.

MP Namal Rajapaksa drove the vehicle travelled by the President and Minister of Roads and Highways Johnston Fernando drove the vehicle travelled by the Prime Minister to Barawakumbuka. Both President and the Prime Minister waved to the crowds flocking at the Aparekka and Beliatta entrances and also received blessings by the Maha Sangha there.

Construction of this new extension of the SEW was to end on April 11 this year according to the contract but, it was finished 50 days prior to the agreed day.

Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC, the developers of 447 Luna Tower recently met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, for a discussion which was focused on the current Sri Lankan market and economy.

The Japanese delegation informed the Prime Minister of Japan’s optimistic approach to further invest in to the country.

Belluna Co. has already invested over USD 220 million into Sri Lanka and currently envisaged up to USD 450 million.

The Prime Minister reassured the delegationof the government’s fullest support with the current and future investments, which further strengthened Belluna’s confidence in the local market and in the Sri Lankan economy.

In addition, Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC have also invested and acquired a prime block of land in the heart of Colombo for yet another mixed development project which will be announced in the near future.

The meeting was coordinated through the Senior Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nivard Cabraal with Belluna Co and Asia Capital PLC officials.

These large investments highlight the commitment of both companies to its current projects in the local market and confidence of its potential growth for the future.

The current government has further strengthened Japan’s interest in Sri Lanka, and Asia Capital PLC plans to bring in a further substantial amount of foreign direct investments to the country.