Join Govt for Nation’s uplift

President’s impassioned plea to JVP, other political parties:

Rohan Mathes in Nikaweratiya

NIKAWERATIYA: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday urged the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and all other parties to join the Government’s effort to develop the economy.

President Rajapaksa made this appeal when he addressed the colourful Wap Maghul Mahothsavaya- 2007 (Inauguration of the Ploughing Festival-2007) in traditional style amid a large gathering of the peasant community, in the paddy fields of the Balagollagama Viharagama at Nikaweratiya.

The President recalled that the JVP should re-join the fold as an expression of gratitude to thousands of youth who died for its cause in 1988-89.

He called on the every citizen of Sri Lanka to fully support and co-operate in the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu (Let us Cultivate and Uplift the Nation) national campaign to conquer the economic war and achieve a self-sustained economy.

“We fervently appeal to all party leaders including the JVP who helped us to come into power, to rally round the Government and lend their fullest assistance in this national campaign to motivate domestic food production and build a self-reliant economy as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya, the President said.

“You bestowed upon me the responsibility of fighting a war to eradicate terrorism. We are also confronting an economic battle to achieve a self-sufficient economy, and the Government has already initiated several formidable steps to win this battle too.

The fullest support, effort, commitment and co-operation of every citizen, irrespective of one’s ethnicity, religion or party, is vital to accomplish this task through the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu campaign.

President Rajapaksa noted that the farmer was getting a fair and the highest ever price now, and in this backdrop the consumer at the other end was affected. “We ought to formulate a fair pricing mechanism to protect both the farmer and the consumer simultaneously,” he added.

He claimed that when he was in New York to address the United Nations summit there, the international community was of the view that Sri Lanka was a murderous and savage country.

“Certain factions have tarnished the good name and image of Sri Lanka to prevent the international community assisting us with monetary aid. They seek to make the country poor and starve its people. I have no blood in my hands,” the President asserted.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that those who were postponing elections in the past, were now calling for elections prematurely. “We will certainly hold elections when they are due,” he added.

Refuting certain allegations pertaining to media freedom, the President also pointed out that excepting a few, all other TV channels were aggressively attacking not only him, but also his kith and kin in a very derogatory manner.

“A glance at the Sunday newspapers would amply prove this and reveal the degree of the media freedom available in the country,” he said.

Referring to the recent Prima company flour price hike, he claimed that a clause inserted in the agreement with Prima by the UNP Government in favour of Prima, prevented the Government from taking legal against it.

He added that the development of the country which was confined to the Western Province in the past had now permeated and spread to the villages as well.

Despite fighting a war, the mega and vital infrastructural development projects such as the calibre of the Norochcholai Coal Power project, Upper Kotmale project, Southern Highway and others are underway now.

A showcase for farming traditions

Rohan Mathes in Nikaweratiya

NIKAWERATIYA: Mammoth crowds from the peasant community of the pre-dominantly agro village of Nikaweratiya flocked to the fertile paddy fields of the Magalle Ballagollagama Viharagama in Nikaweratiya to participate at the annual national Wap Maghul Mahothsavaya-2007 (Inauguration of the Ploughing Festival-2007), in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa actively participated along with other Ministers, Parliamentarians, Chief Ministers and other guests yesterday.

Despite the intermittent light showers experienced during the ceremonies to mark this most colourful and prestigious event of the country’s farming community, Nikaweratiya’s peasant community gathered in their numbers to actively participate in the traditional and cultural ritual in the company of President Rajapaksa.

On arrival at Nikaweratiya, President Rajapaksa was escorted in procession to the venue of the ceremonies, by the farming community flanged by indigenous dancers and drummers who danced to their own characteristic rhythms of the local agro community.

Clad in a typical peasant’s attire of a yellow T-shirt, blue checked sarong and a yellow hat, President Rajapaksa handled a ‘Nagula’ and ploughed the paddy field. The women-folk of the farming community were busy beating their heated drums and chanting ‘pal kavi’ and ‘siv pada’ while others danced to the rhythm.

The traditional partaking of a meal of kevum and kiribath by all those present at the ceremony and the presentation of the ‘Ambula’ by a selected group of women of the peasant community to President Rajapaksa, was of special significance and added colour to the ceremonies.

Agricultural Development and Govi Jana Seva Minister Maithripala Sirisena addressing the ceremony stated that the President of the country set an example and set the record straight, by participating actively in the ‘ploughing’ at this great epoch-making event.

Minister Sirisena reiterated that Sri Lanka was a nation solely dependant on agriculture and the development of the agriculture sector was the sole saviour of our economy. He further said that the import of agricultural products which could be grown and produced locally, would be banned in three years.

The Chief SLFP Organiser for Nikaweratiya Soma Kumari Tennekone also addressed the ceremony.