Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that the objective of a SLPP government is to obtain the contribution of the Plantation worker children to the national economic development effort by affording them an education similar to that of the children in other parts of the country.
He has already formulated plans to provide new schools equipped with a proper teacher cadre and technology to plantation areas to cater to the needs of children in this sector.
Rajapaksa gave this assurance addressing a SLPP Presidential election rally at Nawalapitiya organised by Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage recently.
He said he had a proper plan and vision to uplift the plantation economy. It will help the country to earn valuable foreign exchange through tea exports and provide a large number of employment avenues. “Today, the demand for Sri Lankan tea had dropped sharply due to the short sighted polices of the present government,” Rajapaksa said.
“As a result, Sri Lanka which gained the foremost position as a tea exporter in the international market had dropped to fourth place among tea exporting countries in the world,” he added.
Rajapaksa said he also had plans to uplift rubber and other minor crop industries.
Thanking the large gathering present at the rally despite the inclement weather conditions, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said his development plan for the country had been worked out in consultation with a wide section of professionals, businessmen, entrepreneurs and experts in other fields.
He had devised solutions to people’s problems by visiting villages and having discussions with the residents concerned.
Rajapaksa said people had always reposed forth and confidence in him and their party leader, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. They had been able to overcome all challenges faced by the country in the past as a team.
All Development schemes launched by them with great foresight had been abandoned or left half complete after the present government assumed office. Their objective was to build a secure and prosperous country. He would fulfil his duty by the nation if people accomplished their duty by electing him as President.
Opposition Leader and SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said what the present government had done for the last four and a half years was to take revenge from the people. It had also taken revenge on Opposition politicians by arraigning them in court on false and fictitious charges. Although the government tried to take revenge on them by creating new courts complexes and police stations and divisions, the Judiciary had displayed independence through the straightforward decision and rulings given in the cases. He would therefore request people to go to the polling booth early on November 16 morning and cast their votes for the Flowerbud symbol.
(Daily News)