The Government considers uplifting the local economy and village as a key component in its development process, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday (9).

The President said so addressing the Matale district UPFA conference held in support of candidates contesting the upcoming local authority elections in Naula.

He also noted that the Government had taken steps to strengthen local farmers by giving them fertilizer subsidy, seeds, new technology, a stable price for their products, assistance to boost production and water among other facilities.

‘As a result we no longer have to wait for food to arrive from abroad’, he added.

The President pointed out that even when fertilizer went up to Rs 9,000 the Government as promised provided a bag for Rs 350. He said that the people had given the Government a mandate to rid the country of terrorism and that had been achieved.

‘Our next goal is to be economically independent,’ he stressed.
President Rajapaksa also stated that the policy of previous governments which has been to bring food from abroad has now been changed.

Speaking on the upcoming elections, the President noted that the Opposition today is speaking about toppling the Government although they forget that the next Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections are several years away.

He called on the people to appoint UPFA governed local bodies to supplement the above institutions to take Sri Lanka towards rapid development.

The meeting was also addressed by Ven Bibile Vajiragnana Thera, Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Johnston Fernando, Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake and MP Lakshman Perera.