President Rajapaksa discusses local grievances with Catholic clergy, politicians from Mannar
Friday, 19 July 2013 03:55
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A group of priests from the Diocese of Mannar, along with several local politicians from the region, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.
While thanking the President for all the development work that has taken place in the region, the clergy members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the President in person and directly discuss local grievances.
“We give a special thank you to you and your Government for all the work you have done,” said one of the priests from the Diocese. “After 30 years of war, we are enjoying peace in Mannar,” said another priest.
President Rajapaksa said he values being able to learn about the latest ground realities directly from those living in the respective areas. He further said that the Government is committed to continue developing the northern regions because every Sri Lankan deserves the same facilities regardless of their religion, ethnicity or geographical location.
The clergy members and the local politicians also discussed with the President at length certain grievances faced by the people of Mannar and identified several areas where the problems could be addressed quickly.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Health Maithreepala Sirisena, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy Susil Premajayantha, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Sarath Kumara Gunarathne and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present for the discussion.
