President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who toured the Matale District yesterday in support of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidates contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Election, provided on-the-spot solutions to several public issues.
Residents told the President that they have to face many hardships due to the inability of the previous government to complete the construction of Raitalawa bridge, which was commenced during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s time. This has caused the people in the area to travel an additional 15 kilometres between the Provincial Council of Ambangan Koralaya and the Pallethanna Divisional Secretariat. Construction of a road in Kumbalthota, Kaikawala, had been postponed as well. President Rajapaksa, contacting Secretary to the Ministry of Road Development W.R. Premasiri via telephone, instructed to expedite the construction works of the bridge and the road.
Heeding to a request made by the students of Montigolla Primary School to provide them with desks and chairs, the President also directed the Minister of Education to take immediate action to address the issue.
People also requested the President to provide a solution to the issue of water scarcity in Laggala by expanding the Matale Sub-Water Scheme, and to revive the 'e-Nenasala' Project for enabling children to gain the knowledge of computer technology. These proposals were made to the President during a public gathering organised by Saman Wijenayaka at the Metihakka Public Ground in Ambanganga, Laggala.
Residents of Laggala apprised the President of several issues, including the loss of land arisen due to Moragahakanda Project, drinking water problems, and lack of essential infrastructure facilities. People made these requests at a meeting organised by Thilak Bandara at the Laggala Bus Stand. The President assured swift solutions to these problems.
President Rajapaksa also attended the public gathering organised by Lakshman Wasantha Perera in Naula. A set of proposals for the Development of Matale was handed over to the President during the meeting.
People in Palapathwala said water supplied by the Pradeshiya Sabha in Ambangana Koralaya is not suitable for drinking. The President said he would instruct the relevant officials to look into the matter. This meeting was organised by Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda.
Public gatherings organised by Rohana Dissanayake near the Children’s Park in Matale and Samantha Dharmasena in Ukuwela, Raththota, were also attended by the President. People commended the measures taken by President Rajapaksa for the benefit of the country during the past few months.
Earlier in the day, farmers requested the President, when he joined the public gathering organised near the Galewela Children's Park, to guarantee a fixed price for onion to be supplied to the market. President Rajapaksa discussed with farmers the importance of adopting value-addition techniques to obtain higher prices for pepper.
Former Deputy Ministers Rohana Dissanayake and Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon also participated in the public meeting organised by Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. The President also joined the public gathering organised by Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon at the Dambulla Weekly Fair premises.
The President commended the service rendered by the farmers of the area for the development of the agricultural sector.
President Rajapaksa was also briefed on the operations of the Rangiri Bio Green Organic Fertiliser Plant controlled by Dambulla Urban Council. It produces three metric tonnes of organic fertiliser per day for the Matale and Dambulla districts. Municipal councillors stated that if the government assisted in developing the waste management project of the area, the Central Province can produce the required amount of organic fertiliser.
People told the President due to contradictions between the Urban Development Authority and the Department of Archaeology and Wildlife, that land disputes in Sigiriya remained unresolved for a long period of time. They also pointed out the adverse impact that could be caused on the tourism industry. Farmers also requested President Rajapaksa to take steps to complete the construction work of the cold storage facility as soon as possible.
President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude for constructing a hospital ward to combat COVID-19 under the guidance of Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, and with the financial assistance of Rs.9 million from 'Dambulu Urumaya' and several voluntary organisations.
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