The Minister’s comment came at a ceremony held at De La Salle College, Mutwal Sunday morning (20) to grant relief under the “Diviyata Saviyak” programme to the low income people. The Minister distributed dry rations, spectacles, exercise books amongst the low income families of the area and also donated wheel chairs for disabled persons.

Addressing the gathering further, the Minister said;

“Our policy is to bring about a positive change through the mandate given by the people. There will always be some groups who find fault with whatever we do. When we reduced the price of milk power, they criticized it. Same thing happened when the price of canned fist was brought down. When a gas emission tax was proposed to protect environment, they are opposed to that as well. There is a group who do not want this country to be developed. My remarks are directed at them.    

Yesterday we witnessed what happened in Parliament. During the previous regime people were struggling to make ends meet. The income was not even sufficient to pay back the loans. But all these have been changed through this budget. From January, we have embarked on a total new journey. Our aim is to establish a clean government while creating employment opportunities for young people, addressing housing issues and easing the cost of living burden.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who failed to increase salaries of public employees for 10 years is today talking about salaries of the public sector. The people should be awake to such shameless remarks. This is nothing but political hatred. Anyway we are moving forward irrespective of the obstacles we have to face.”

Mrs. Ravi Karunanayake, Working Director of the National Lotteries Board Mr. M.K.Hassan and Colombo Municipal Councilors Aluthgedara Chaminda, Tharanga Athuraliya and Mahendra De Silva too were in attendance.