Ranil says country cannot be developed with dictatorship

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday a country cannot not be developed with a dictatorship and to develop the country everybody must work with commitment and dedication.

Speaking at an event held in Temple Trees to hand over permanent appointments to 5,000 Samurdhi Development officers, the Premier pointed out that there was no need for a dictatorship or a semi-dictatorship to carry out the massive development that had been carried out in the last few years. He added that all these development activities were carried out through strengthening of democracy.

Wickremesinghe also handed over pension letters to Samurdhi Development Officers who retired.

Speaking further, the Premier said the present Government has made the biggest investment in social welfare since independence in the last few years.

“There was no need for a dictator to do this kind of work. Dictatorial powers are not necessary. Never before has there been such a development although claimed to have obtained dictatorial or semi-dictatorial powers. I would like to mention that this work was done through the strengthening of democracy. There was no strong democracy in our country when we came to power.”

The Premier pointed out that the mass media has been given the freedom to criticise the rulers. “Instead of a white van an emergency ambulance arrives at your doorstep immediately after calling. We have made such a transformation.”

Speaking at the event, Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Minister Daya Gamage said the Samurdhi banking system will be computerised to make transactions from anywhere in the world.

He said even though permanent appointments are being made, the Government will not force the Samurdhi officers to bring in Samurdhi beneficiaries for future election meetings as the previous Government has done.

Samurdhi Development Officers who receive permanent appointments today will be entitled to Rs. 10,000 salary increase and the Rs. 2,500 allowance given for State employees. They will be entitled to all the benefits given by the Government to State sector employees.

State Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Ali Zahir Moulana Sayed, Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister P. Harrison, Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Vajira Abeywardena, Petroleum Resources Development Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage, politicians, Samurdhi Development Department Director General Saman Bandara and a large number of government officials were present.