He was addressing the opening ceremony of the “Siyasetha Sewana” housing scheme Maligawatta on 5th August, held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

According to the Prime Minister, the people in urban areas are suffering from many difficulties due to the lack of facilities, economic inconvenience, and the drug menace as well. Therefore, everyone was asked to take every possible effort and to help to rescue Colombo from this drug menace. “In this regard, a huge responsibility is vested with the religious leaders”, he added. He also stressed on tough legal actions for offenders.

The present government strengthening the economy of the ordinary masses, and the people living in slums in Colombo commenced the Megapolis Development project. Under this project plans are included to make Colombo the largest city in the Indian Ocean, to provide facilities for a population of around 8.5-million in the Western Province, and to provide residences for the poor people, to build a new economy, and to alleviate the Casino. The people settled in state -owned lands will also be given the free-hold deeds.  

He further added that every student should be given education for 13-years continuously under a preferred subject stream. They should be helped to improve their skills to go forward.