President to declare 2017 as year to liberate the country from poverty

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the year 2017 will be declared as the year of liberating the country from poverty.

Speaking at the progress review meeting of the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry held at the President’s Office on Monday, the President has said that the relevant memorandum will be presented to the cabinet soon.

The President said that a comprehensive program will be put in place to eradicate poverty from the country with the support of different organizations belonging to public and private sectors as well as NGOs. He pointed out that the number of people who are living in poverty is larger than the actual figures that are given by the Samurdhi and Divi Neguma movements.

President Sirisena promises to take measures to enhance welfare of the employees belonging to the minor staff of the public and private sector. While the country’s development is still depend on the politicians, it is necessary to understand priorities of the national development, the President said.

Pointing out that people living in certain areas were treated unjustly due to the bad administrative policies, the President said the mission of his government is to develop all 25 administrative districts equally without any discrimination. The unity government is committed to protect democracy, freedom, and fundamental rights of the people, the President stressed. The priority has now been given to attract more local and foreign investments with the view of bringing prosperity to the nation.

The President emphasized that the officials should be responsible to spend money on projects properly without returning the funds back to the Treasury.