President asks people to use their franchise wisely at upcoming election
Friday, 20 September 2013 03:40
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday asked the people to use their franchise wisely at Saturday’s provincial council elections to defeat all separatist movements that attempt to divide the country.
Addressing a massive crowd at the final rally of the ruling alliance’s election campaign in Kandy Wednesday evening, the President said some elements are attempting to disrupt the country’s peace and harmony by creating chaotic situations and he had had instructed the security forces to be vigilant on such conspiring elements.
He further said that some political leaders who have no clear recognition among the people are attempting to demean the present rapid progress of development in the country.
Earlier the President opened the country’s largest eco-friendly rice processing and rice flour milling plant at Naula.
Speaking at the opening of the Plant, the President said that the country is now self-sufficient in rice and this self-sufficiency has been achieved due to the economic policies of the Government.
The Government has paid special attention to the farmer community and as a result the country is now self-sufficient in food and not waiting for the arrival of ships bringing food.
The plant built by the Hingurana Agro Private Company with an investment of Rs. 500 million has the capability of milling rice scientifically and through machines.
The Plant with a capacity of milling 8 tons per hour needs around 80 metric tons of paddy daily. The plant will provide 400 direct employment and thousands of indirect opportunities.
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Senior Ministers A.H.M. Fowzie and Tissa Vitharana, Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Dinesh Gunawardena, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Dilan Perera, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa and Mayor of Kandy Mahendra Ratwatte also participated in the rally.
