Long marches unnecessary if former leaders governed properly: President

As the Joint Opposition Paada Yathra inches towards Colombo, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday took a shot at his predecessor, pointing out that if former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had carried out his duties “properly,” there would be no need to undertake long marches for political purposes while “hurting their feet”.

The President made this statement at a ceremony held at the auditorium of Mawanella Provincial Council on Friday to distribute computers to 50 Pirivenas and churches in the Kegalle District.

“Though some people greedy for power walk through roads aimlessly, the Government is committed to build the country by working with consciousness and discipline,” the President said.

“Today, the country is suffering from a debt burden of Rs. 9,000 billion. The new Government has to face the challenge of an unbearable debt burden created by the former Government,” he charged.

“After being in the office of Presidency just once, I don’t want to take marathon walks seeking power again and I will execute my duties properly during the tenure of my office,” he said.

Ministers Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Rauff Hakeem, State Minister Champika Premadasa, former Minister Athauda Seneviratne and many others participated in the event, President’s Media said in a statement. 

Later, the President joined in a ceremony to introduce the concept of ‘Langama Pasala Hondama Pasala’ held at the Mederigama Vidyalaya in Mawanella. 

Under this programme, two selected schools at provincial level will be developed and the aim of this programme is to limit the competition for popular schools in towns among parents. 

“Even though we are proudly talking about development, more than 4,000 schools out of the total of 10,150 schools in the country do not have basic facilities,” the President pointed out. 

“We need proper management and an equitable distribution of material resources among all citizens to strengthen the fields of free education and health. The present Government is committed to protect the right for equal opportunities of all the children of this country,” he added.