Jathika Govi Sathiya:

Healthy society our aim - Minister

Ishara JAYAWARDENA

The Jathika Govi Sathiya aims to create a healthy society, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.

He was speaking at the fourth day of the Jathika Govi Sathiya yesterday.

"This country has been freed from terrorism by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We must make use of this opportunity. As Sri Lankans we have the courage and strength to stand on our own. The country must be built on our own strength," Minister Abeywardena said.

The Minister said internationally, no one thought winning the war was possible. And that Sri Lanka could stand above the rest.

"As an agricultural country our aim is to be self-sufficient in economy," Minister Abeywardena added. He said the development projects are now in progress.

The Minister said even locals are not aware of the medicinal value of certain plants. He said that due to ignorance we are consuming food that is poisonous.

"We must make people knowledgable about food that is healthy," Minister Abeywardena said.

Stating that agriculture in the South was his responsibility, Southern Province Minister Bindu Weerasinghe said the heart of Sri Lanka is in agriculture.

"I am from a farmer family. I have a love for agriculture and its glorious past. This bountiful land of ours can be used to create our own foods and our own fields.

This endeavour of ours is reachable, possible and attainable. We have great plans for agriculture," he said.