‘We all know that elections are to be held this year. While politicians are fighting for power, we are confronted with keeping the economy afloat and ensuring a steady growth rate which we can achieve this year,’ President Maithripala Sirisena said.President Sirisena made these remarks at a special meeting held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo on Monday.
‘If not, we would have to face a bitter economic situation. Therefore, developmental activities and public services should never be halted due to election campaigns, he said while inviting the public to join hands with him to achieve this goal.The President said that the government should not bring down any development programme and should liberate its people from the prevailing situation and develop a righteous society in the country.
The Gramashakthi People’s Movement is carried out under the guidance of President Sirisena in order to eradicate poverty. The President’s office also conducts special projects towards the benefits of people. The discussions were made on making aware public officials and the political authority about the objectives for 2019.Ministers, governors and chief ministers and provincial councillors, line ministers, provincial council secretaries, district secretaries, divisional secretaries and public were also present at the event.
The Village Empowerment Movement has been successfully implemented islandwide as one of the major rural poverty alleviation programmes. This programme is unique in creating a person who is free from poverty and self-replicating through the production process. This year, the President’s intention is to expand the programme further. For the same purpose, the week from February 18 to 24 is named as the ‘Gramashakthi Week’.The National Programme on Drug Abuse, the National Kidney Prevention Programme, the National Environmental Programme, the Let’s Protect Children National Programme, the Sustainable School Programme, National Food Programme, the National Nutrition Programme, the National Programme on Empowering Disabled Persons and Adults, the Cultural Re-awakening Programme conducted through the Presidential Secretariat for public benefit and the programs which are being implemented are expected to expand further this year.
The President urged everyone to uplift the living standards of the 21 million people by making the country more productive. While emphasising the importance of improving the efficiency of the public service, the President outlined the importance of targeted work and the maximum use of the available provisions.Speaking on the national drug prevention program that is being widely implemented islandwide, the President said that there is a strong law enforcement programme aimed at curbing drug use and a programme to free those addicted.
He also informed about the national programme for the conservation of the environment.The President said that a new circular should be issued to make it mandatory to obtain permits for all machines including the small chain saw machines and large scale machines used for felling trees.Accordingly, anyone who possesses such machines must report to the nearest police station from February 15 to March 1. Each police station should keep a list of people in their area who possess such machines. Steps will be taken to issue licences to them.
The President said that those who use such machinery without a licence will be arrested and prosecuted. He said that all these decisions have been taken for the betterment of the country and its future.
With the objective of achieving sustainable development goals and achieving poverty free Sri Lanka by 2025; these programs have been implemented in accordance with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.The launch of the programme in 2019, was also augmented by a further awareness of the political authority and state machinery of these national programmes.He said that the economic growth of the country has slowed down. The growth from three percent to four percent is very good for the country and it is very harmful if it falls further this year due to political reasons.
