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| Thursday, 24 June 2004 |
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President Premadasa loved the poor - Minister Amunugama by P .Krishnaswamy President Ranasinghe Premadasa was a great national leader and national hero of our time whose thinking was forever centered on national prosperity through economic and social uplift of the poor, Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said yesterday speaking as chief guest at the 80th birth anniversary of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. 'More than anything, he loved the poor and the underprivileged and tirelessly worked for their betterment, the Minister said. The anniversary celebrations were held under the auspices of the Premadasa Centre at the Elphinstone Theatre. Minister, Douglas Devananda, Deputy leader of the UNP, Karu Jayasuriya MP, and religious dignitaries of all four religions participated as guests of honour at the well-attended function. Minister Amunugama said: "I had closely associated with President Ranasinghe Premadasa for several years and had admired his rare leadership qualities and feats. His programmes of poverty alleviation and shelter for the homeless were commended all over the developing world and 'poverty alleviation' even became a popular slogan for political campaigns in India. So long as our country remains poor, we cannot ignore his political ideologies and visions for the country. "He had the pluck and genius to formulate development projects, mainly for the social uplift of the poor. He also knew how to make the ordinary masses understand that the development projects were meant for them." Chairman of the Premadasa Centre, Sirisena Cooray, delivered the welcoming address. Deputy leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya also spoke. Prizes were awarded to winners of the islandwide Premadasa Commemoration Essay competition. |
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