An investigation is being carried out into vandalizing a Buddha statue in Mawanella and steps will be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring, Company Estate Reforms, Tea Estate Related Crops, Tea Factory Modernisation and Tea Export Promotion State Minister Kanaka Herath said.
The State Minister was addressing the gathering after participating in awarding freehold deeds under the Land Reforms Commission (LRC) to landless families in the Kegalle District along with Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa. Freehold deeds were provided with 137 landless families. He said that an investigation into the incident is already underway and the law will be enforced against those responsible soon.
The State Minister said that the media was prevented from reporting such incidents during the last government by the direct intervention of the then Mass Media and Information Minister. The Government will not implement such media repression and has guaranteed the right of the people to information, he said.
The Minister said that for a more effective and efficient administration, a combination of public bureaucracy as well as political authority is needed. “Therefore, the Provincial Council Election should be held immediately and the provincial council structure should be formalised,” he said.
He said that if the Provincial Council Elections could not be held, the electoral system would have to be changed and it would take time.
The State Minister said that the public sector and the political sector should be equally effective for the development and prosperity of the country and that it is an essential factor to provide a better service to the people.
The State Minister said that politicians and government officials should be well aware of the aspirations of the people.
He said that the land ownership issues of the families in the State owned plantation companies will be resolved through discussions with the plantation companies.
