RISING POPULAR TIDE: A record massive crowd was there to cheer the younger generation UNP leadership at yesterday’s public rally organised by the governing party at the Wills Stadium, Badulla. On stage were several government ministers of the younger generation. Pictures by Prasanna Padmasiri Bandara, Lunugala Correspondent
UNP Deputy Leader, Minister for Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa yesterday (12) vowed to empower the small and medium scale entrepreneurs who are the engine of Sri Lanka’s economic growth. Premadasa also said that he will follow meritocracy based governance which gives priority to talent, effort and achievement. Premadasa made these observations at the rally held in Badulla calling for Sajith Premadasa’s nomination as UNP Presidential Candidate. Ministers and other senior UNP politicos were present at the rally which was organized by Ministers Harin Fernando and Sujeewa Senasinghe.
Addressing the massive crowd present at Badulla Wills Park stadium, Premadasa said that for a country to develop, small and medium scale entrepreneurs should be empowered and taken care of by the government.
“We all know that these entrepreneurs are the engine of our economy. We will make it our objective to empower these people. Youth in this country should head the governance of this country and their visions should be followed as well. We should always allow creative and visionary youth to take this country forward.” he said.
Premadasa also said that he will not ask people “to tighten their belts” and instead he will ask politicos to “tighten their belts” in the process of reaching the development goals of the country.Premadasa also promised to rejuvenate the country with a people and country oriented ruling system.Speaking further Premadasa stressed the importance of a solid economic plan for the development of the country and the importance of constantly reviewing its progress.
“Innovation and advanced technology should be employed to boost the development of this country. In a technology based world, where is Sri Lanka’s Silicon Valley? When one rule a country, we cannot just come up with alien development concepts. We need national development goals.
We should review the process towards achieving these objectives on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. On every week, every month and every year we should sit down and measure the progress of our socio economic goals.
We should always find out if the people are benefitted by the economic goals we are trying to reach.” he added.
Minister Premadasa also observed that there is a serious inequality in income distribution in the country. Development should be a achievement for all, not just for a small group of people in the country, he pointed out.“Development should be everyone’s victory.
A faction of the society should not be allowed to reap the benefit of development. When we look at the last 15 years, the available data is surprising.
There is a huge income inequality between the richest and the poorest in the country.
Only about a 4% of the economy reaps the fullest benefit of development. This is not humane. It is high time we change this tendency.”
Premadasa pointed out.
Premadasa also emphasized on the importance of an efficient government service for the development of the country.
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