Follow up MOUs to derive maximum benefits for country

The progress Review meeting to discuss the 2013-2015 Mid Term Investment Plan of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management was held at Temple Trees chaired by President Rajapaksa on Friday, 26 April 2013. At this meeting the President also evaluated Key Performance Indicators against agreed targets by the Ministry.

The President said ministries should pay close attention when signing MOUs related to development and technical information exchanges with foreign countries and initiate follow up action with the aim of deriving maximum benefits for the country. He reiterated that if ministries do not take follow up action and explore the opportunities presented by them these MOUs will amount to a mere farce. Although Sri Lanka signs many MOUs with other countries on development and technical information sharing in many fields it was doubtful whether authorities take full use of them, he added.

The President noted the above when Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry Secretary Ivan Silva suggested that Sri Lanka should sign a scientific and technical exchanges agreement with a foreign country, possibly Thailand to develop subsidiary Food Crop cultivations in the Mahaweli zone.

During the meeting the President also looked into other issues relevant to the sector. He highlighted that public complaints, should be looked into and also discussed challenges obstructing further development. He advised officials to take prompt action against issues highlighted in the media and added that a viable reply to such issues should be sent without delay.

One of the issues highlighted was the lack of technical officers and engineers where the President advised both Secretary Silva and Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva to look into the matter and come up with a viable solution.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa meanwhile suggested that paddy varieties with a high quality should be introduced in the Mahaweli zone with the intention of exporting the excess yield. President Rajapaksa advised officials to pay close attention to the suggestion.

The President also requested the Ministry to prepare a cabinet paper with proposals to protect catchment areas. He highlighted several complaints received from the public about discrepancies related to distribution of Mahaweli lands among farmers and advised officials to investigate the allegations.

President Rajapaksa requested the Ministry Secretary to provide compensation without delay for private lands acquired for development purposes. He earlier visited the Education Ministry and the Land Ministry.