President takes up responsibility to protect nation from financial crisis

President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday promised to protect the nation from the financial crisis of the country that arose due to the “mammoth debt burden” created by the previous Government.

He said that whatever allegations were levelled at the present Government, the financial crisis of the country occurred not during the past two years but due to the debt incurred by his predecessor’s government.

The present government headed by him, took the responsibility of resolving the issue and despite the challenges encountered by the government, they would fulfill the responsibility of building a prosperous nation with the contribution of the people, the President said.

He made these remarks while addressing a public rally held at the ground of the Elahera Maha Vidyalaya on 11 January after the ceremony to fill water in the Moragahakanda reservoir, which is the biggest multifunctional irrigation project. 

The groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the Ehala Elahera Ela (canal), which will be the longest irrigation canal in the country, was also held at an auspicious time under the patronage of President Sirisena, turning a new page in the country’s irrigation history.

Addressing the gathering, the President further said that today was the happiest day of his life as his dream became a reality, ending the sorrowful stories of the Rajarata farmers.

The Moragahakanda development project is set to lead to a revival in the fields of agriculture and irrigation, the President said, adding that the aim of implementing this kind of mega project was to build a self-sufficient and prosperous economy in the country.

The President stated that although the country had to face a drought, the Government would not allow the people to starve. “The Government has decided to import rice and give it to the people at a lower price,” he said.

“By paying attention to the future challenges which will be faced by the farming community, the Government has prepared the required plans for its welfare. A ministerial subcommittee has been appointed in this regard,” the President said.

The Moragahakanda reservoir, which is spread over 460,000 acres, is the fourth-largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. It is the largest reservoir built in the country in the past 30 years.

This project, which solves the long-term water issue faced by the people in the districts of Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee, costs $ 555.7 million.

The canal in Ihala Elahera is being built from Moragahakanda to Mahakandarawa in Anuradhapura. It is 103 km long, making it the longest canal in Sri Lanka, and costs Rs. 65 billion. It will be built in five years.

At the event in Elahera Maha Vidyalaya, President Sirisena also presented land deeds to people who lost their lands due to the Moragahakanda development project.

The President also awarded scholarships to children of low-income families and granted loans to farmers under the organic fertiliser scheme.

Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang, Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Deputy Minister Anuradha Senevirathne, Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake and the Secretary of the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry Udaya R. Senevirathne also participated in the event.