He said that by doing so they would become key partners in the national initiative Divi Neguma which aims to set up one million domestic economic units to develop a self-dependent household and enhance their economic prospects.

The President said so prior to handing over 3,000 Ranbima land deeds which grant legal ownership to families of the lands they are settled on. The event held at Temple Trees yesterday was the ninth stage of the program. President Rajapaksa noted that efforts which began since 1970 to distribute lands among landless people of the country had not been implemented properly during certain eras.

He added that the present government had taken steps to streamline the process.

However the President said that it was important for these land recipients to maximize the use of their newly acquired property for both their families and the country’s benefit.

President Rajapaksa said that he always believed in leading by example and added that he had also taken steps to grow vegetables at the Temple Trees compound.

“We can’t tell others to cultivate if we are not doing so,” he added.