President vows to create a clean political culture

President Maithripala Sirisena says the challenge to set up a pure political movement would be fulfilled despite the insults and accusations against the government.

He said that political culture of bribes, corruption and theft which existed during the past period cannot be changed in the country at once but the present government is shouldering a great task of creating honest and nation loving politicians.

“We must make a resolution to discharge our duties and responsibilities honestly in the interests of the country,” the President said.

He made these remarks addressing an event held Saturday to hand over land deeds to the farmer families in the Mahaweli ‘H’ zone, held at the Thalawa grounds.

The President said there has been an era when fraud, corruption, and wastage becoming number one issue from top to the bottom and many problems have been created when attempts were made to change this situation.

Necessary measures are being taken to alter the conditions but the changes cannot be brought out in a day or two, he explained. He said it is a long-term process and therefore, people should not expect results within 24 hours or 3 months.

He also said that those who had come to power pledging to eradicate fraud and corruption have a tendency to follow the practices of their predecessors.

“This is the political culture. All want to have a good political culture but it is not an easy task to set up a conducive structure,” he said.

President Sirisena called upon all to act in unity to form a clean political culture. He said that by doing so all the people would benefit.

The President distributed the title deeds of ownership under the national program to provide lands to 100,000 Mahaweli families who do not own a specific plot of land. The President handed over 6200 land deeds to the Mahaweli ‘H’ farmer families on Saturday.

The President also said the government has given priority to build up the national economy by strengthening the economic status of the farmer communities.

He also pointed out that the government has taken measures to renovate a large number of canals under the Moragahakanda Project which is given more benefits to the farmer communities. He was confident that the farmer communities will be more prosperous and enjoy a better livelihood through the implementation of the Moragahakanda Project.