President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that the country is currently receiving the full number of vaccines required to maintain the vaccination.
The President said that the process is being carried out in a scientific and proper manner.
He said he expected further support from the political authorities as well as governors and all public officials, including the health sector, to continue to provide assistance to the health sector without causing inconvenience to the people.
Governors and District Secretaries should personally intervene to maintain essential services without disturbing the lives of the people.
President Rajapaksa said that despite the current situation, the country’s economy could not be allowed to collapse and asked the Governors and District Secretaries to extend their full support to the continuation of the factory and development projects and that the contribution of all was needed to overcome the challenge and move forward as a country.
The President made this observation at a monthly meeting with Provincial Governors and District Secretaries at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (02).
The President pointed out the importance of inquiring into the environment that can be maintained by following health recommendations instead of shutting down a factory or a project when an infected person is identified in connection with a factory or a development project.
The challenges and problems faced by the people in the face of travel restrictions were discussed at length.
The President said that although the government had instructed to maintain industries and essential services in compliance with proper health recommendations, there were reports of shortcomings in the implementation of the program at the regional level.
The President instructed that the mechanism for purchasing and distributing surplus fruits and vegetables to farmers at the local level should be properly implemented and said that it was the responsibility of all parties concerned not to allow the agrarian economy to collapse.
Operational projects under local funds and foreign loan assistance should meet the relevant targets properly. The President also called on the Ministers of State and their Secretaries to continue to work on the Ten Thousand Tanks program implemented by the government, the development of 100,000 kilometers of roads, 1000 national schools, housing, regional hospitals, drinking water and renewable energy projects. Advised Governors and Government Agents.
President Rajapaksa said that the government has decided to provide organic fertilizer to farmers free of charge and asked them to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the challenge of promoting organic farming. It was also stated that the government is planning to provide assistance to small businesses and farmers’ associations for the production of organic fertilizer and to provide loans at concessionary interest rates through state banks.
The Governors commended the Government, led by the President, for its commitment to controlling the current epidemic, safeguarding the lives of the people and making the country’s future a success despite challenges.
The District Secretaries pointed out that the gazetting of ports, railways, customs, fuel supply, public transport services, banks and local government bodies as essential services was a great relief to carry out their duties.
Provincial Governors, Secretary to the President PB Jayasundera, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga and government officials were also present at the discussion.
