Political instability during times of Presidents J.R. Jayewardene and C.B. Kumaratunga resulted in deterring the development of the country, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa and stressed that this Government’s objective is to continue the development effort uninterrupted leaving no room for political instability.

He was speaking at the presentation of titles to over 1300 families who received lands and houses from the National Housing Development Authority at Temple Trees yesterday (7 Sep).

He added that former President JR Jayewardene tried to amend his own Constitution in the last five years of his rule without success and the efforts taken by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to amend the Constitution also became fruitless.

He pointed out that the Government is in the process of removing the impediments that lie in the way to development. “Our main objective is to make the people happy and the Government will ensure that every family has a house”, he added.

The President stressed that the housing problem of the people should be solved gradually.

During a progress review meeting earlier with the Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa directed officials to conduct a full scale survey on inoperative rice processing centres including the Vanni rice processing mill and bring them back to operational level soon.

The President expressed the need of a viable mechanism to fulfill the rice requirement of the country during the upcoming festive season. Ministry officials were instructed to maintain a reserve of essential foods in the country at all times.

The President opined that paddy production needed to be promoted by strengthening farmers and low income families should be assisted by providing rice and other essential foods at a concessionary rate.

President Rajapaksa emphasized that the production centres should be uplifted. He drew the Ministry officials’ attention to complaints received over the misconduct at certain institutions that come under the Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry purview.

The dossier containing complaints were handed over to Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando for further action. The President said the details of rice processing units and storage facilities are included in the dossier and expected that action would be taken by officials.

Earlier yesterday (7), President Rajapaksa opened a two storied ward complex at the Maharagama Cancer Institute in memory of his mother Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayake and First Lady’s mother Vilolet Wickremesingne.

This project was funded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family members and philanthropists.

Fulfilling, a long-standing need, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa donated medical equipment worth Rs 65 million to the Institute recently.

The patients at the Maharagama Cancer Institute can now receive treatments free with this donation of high-tech-equipment. Over 15,000 patients receive treatment from the Institute per year. It caters to more than 600 outdoor patients a day.

Later yesterday (7), President Rajapaksa awarded ‘Hapan’ Educational Scholarships to students who excelled at the year 05 Scholarship exam in 2009. The scholarships were sponsored by the National Savings Bank (NSB) at a ceremony at Temple Trees.

The majority of the scholarship winners came from the rural areas with the number one performer hailing from the deep south hamlet of Beliatta. The second place went to a student from Kurunegala and the third came from the formerly conflict affected Vadukkodai, Jaffna. Several students from the formerly war ravaged North in areas such as Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya, were among the top performers.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene stated that this was ample evidence of the success of Government efforts to propagate quality education in the remote areas.

He added that students from former conflict areas such as Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna could now come to Colombo without fear and obtain scholarships from the President at Temple Trees which was not possible before.