New Western Province Governor Salley starts work

Western Province Governor Azath Salley addresses guests following the assumption of duties at his Governorate in Colombo on Wednesday

By Mohammed Rasooldeen

Newly appointed Western Province Governor Azath Salley yesterday said that he would serve all citizens equally irrespective of party politics and religion.

Salley was speaking to a packed audience at the auditorium in the Governorate headquarters in Rajagiriya, following his formal assumption of duties as Governor for the Western Province.

During the week, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed eight new Governors to the various Provinces in the island, which included two Muslim Governors and first ever Tamil Governor to the Northern Province.

Former Local Government and Provincial Council Minister Faiszer Mustapha, new Industry and Commerce and Resettlement and Cooperative Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Abdul Nasser Al-Harthy, Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Mohammed Hamdallah, Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Hesham Mohamed Asran, Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Al Mualla, and senior officials from Government departments were also present at the morning event.

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera outlined Salley’s contributions towards the social uplift of the common people.

Speaking further, Salley said his doors are open to those who need his services, and he would serve everybody without any discrimination of his or her political faith.

He said that he would chalk out a master plan for education in the Western Province, which would ensure equal opportunities for every student in the province.

He assured that he would see that every child in the Western Province finds a school for his or her primary education. “It’s a pity that some parents struggle to find admission to the nearest schools because of the unsatisfactory system prevailing in the country,” he said, adding that it will be rectified with the cooperation of Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

The Governor also cited instances where parents approach politicians to give their children alternate schools, since they cannot afford the exorbitant school fees in international schools. “We will ensure the right to education to every child in the Western Province.”

Thanking the President for appointing him as Governor, Salley said he would exercise his utmost efforts to implement the vision of President Sirisena to make the country a happier place to live in.

He said President Sirisena’s progressive policies have paved the way for enhanced judicial independence, freedom of expression, the right to information and the disclosure of fraudulent deals and bribery in a transparent manner, irrespective of the status and standing of the suspects.

In conclusion, he pledged a better job of work with the anticipated cooperation of the people.