The President has emphasized that a country cannot be developed
sans granting transport, education, health, communication and other facilities.
Opening the access road to the Somawathiya Chaithya, the President said that the next stage was to provide pure drinking water to the nation from Point Pedro to Dondra Point.
President Rajapaksa declared open this morning the access road to the historic Somawathiya Chaithya after its reconstruction. The road was in a dire dilapidated condition and was subject to frequent flooding every year, obstructing travel.
The President during a visit to Somawathiya monitored its condition. Thereafter he instructed the authorities concerned to reconstruct it immediately while allocating the grants required for the work. Accordingly the expenditure incurred on the reconstruction of the road was 3500 million rupees.
The one lane road which spans 38 kilometres has been reconstructed with two lanes and its width is seven metres. The 26 kilometre road leading from the Polonnaruwa City to the Sungawila town has been carpeted and developed. Also the 12 kilometre road from Sungawila to Somawathiya has been concreted and reconstructed.
Hitherto it took two and a half hours to travel on this road. But devotees would now be able to reach the Somawathiya Sacred Area within 30 minutes.
Expressing views after opening the reconstructed road, the President mentioned that this was the highest investment made on a place of worship. He said that the Buddhists all over the world can now easily visit the Somawathiya and pay obeisance. The President announced that the country’s development activities will be continuously carried out.
The President said earlier it was mentioned that the farmers were committing suicide as they cannot market their paddy harvest. Another it was mentioned that the paddy had been set on fire. There was such an era. The people have now forgotten about it. The Government effected a change. Fertilizer was provided, a guaranteed price was introduced. Now the farmers are able to sell their local yield sans poison. The President declared that their next step is to provide pipe borne water to every household. He added that their intention was to fulfill this task from Point Pedro up to Dondra Point.
Minister Maithripala Sirisena and Project Minister Nirmala Kotalawala also expressed their views. Members of the Maha Sangha including Chief Incumbent of the Somawathiya Vihare the Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Thera, political representatives, Government officials and a large gathering were present on the occasion.
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