Initiatives for betterment of majority will not be halted due to acts of small minority: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said some sections of society were using technology invented for people’s progress in a wrongful manner to spread false propaganda regarding the Government and emphasised that the initiatives taken for the betterment of the majority of society could not be halted due to the acts of a small minority.

He made these remarks while addressing a ceremony held at the Pulatisi Buddhi Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa on Saturday where he distributed equipment for 1,012 self-employed people, with the aim of uplifting the lives of those from the Elahera-Bakamuna area.

The equipment was distributed under the Pibidemu Polonnaruwa District Development Project and procured at a cost of Rs.92 million. The aim of this program is to distribute equipment to 3,264 people who are self-employed by 2017, and Rs. 371 million has been allocated for this purpose.

The President added that a special committee would be appointed under the Presidential Secretariat to provide guidance to solve any issues arising when this equipment was used as well as to scrutinise whether this equipment was used in an appropriate manner.

The Red Cross Society distributed water filters among 400 families in the district, spending Rs. 2.6 million. The President also distributed weeder machines among 200 people at a cost of Rs. 27.2 million.

Nalaka Kolonne MP, North Central Provincial Councillors Sampath Sri Nilantha and N.A. Samantha, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Ranjith Ariyarathna, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Chairman Jagath Abeysinhe and several others participated in this occasion.

Meanwhile, the President also opened the newly-built building at the Mihidu Jayanthi Piriven in Aththanakadawala, which was built under the Government’s program to develop the country’s Piriven education. It was built at a cost of Rs. 9 million.

The President, who visited the temple, first engaged in religious observances and secured blessings. President Sirisena also looked into the wellbeing of the Chief Incumbent of the temple.

A white sandalwood sapling was planted within the premises of the temple to mark the President’s visit.

Later, the President unveiled a plaque, opened the Piriven building and presented sets of books to five monks who achieved the best results at the all-island level.

Addressing this event, the President said that Piriven education in the country offered guidance for our culture, language and discipline and also said that the Government would pay special attention to uplifting Piriven education in the country.   

The President also said that all 15 Pirivens in the Polonnaruwa District would be developed under the program the Government launched to develop Piriven education in the country by 2018. 

Ven. Guruwela Sheelarathana Thero and the Parivenadhipathi Shasthrapathi Ven. Valdeniye Dhammarathana Thero were among those present at the occasion.