Best time to develop our country as the world is with us today: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that this is the best time to develop Sri Lanka as all the countries in the world and international organisations do not have any animosity against us.

He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the National Program for Local Food Production, held in Iranamadu, Kilinochchi yesterday.

The President pointed out that over 80% of the requirement of chilies, soya, cowpea and green gram are imported. He recalled over Rs. 6 billion spent on the importation of food in 2014. “When this happens the farmers can never get rid of the debt burden,” he said.

He said that it was a shame to import food from foreign countries for consumption when the country was capable of producing all essential food requirement within the country.

President Sirisena said every State-owned land which had not been cultivated would be used for food production in the future. He said he would call for explanations from the responsible officials about lands which have not been cultivated.

“The empty lands which have not been utilised for food production and owned by private sector will also be taken on temporary basis for food production. Every inch which can be cultivated should be cultivated,” the President stated.

He said home garden cultivation was a key feature of this national program which is carried out not only by the Department of Agriculture and Presidential Secretariat, but also by every institute of State and private sector.

He pointed out that the people could cultivate vegetables and fruits in their plots of land in home gardens for their day-to-day consumption.

President Maithripala Sirisena requested the people, who enjoy freedom and democracy under this new Government, to unite irrespective of race, religion and caste differences to eliminate poverty in the country.

The program, which was inaugurated in Kilinochchi District yesterday, will be implemented around the country in the future and the aim of the program is to grow agricultural products that can be grown in our county.

The President symbolically distributed title deeds of 613 acres of land in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts used by the military to their original owners and to the relevant institutions.

Marking the inaugural ceremony of the National Food Production program, the President went to a paddy field and switched on a paddy planting machine.

Parallel to this program the inauguration of the growing of agricultural products including corn, fruit and coconut was commenced yesterday. In addition to that, goats, dairy cows and coconut saplings were also distributed among the people and organic fertilisers were introduced for farming.

President Sirisena also declared open the Aquaculture Development Centre in Iranamadu.

President Sirisena also made an observation tour of the Vocational Training Centre being built in the Iranamadu area with financial assistance from Germany.