Make electricity affordable - President

The Power and Energy Ministry is bound to provide electricity to the people at affordable rates and it should strive to give more prominence to what people actually need than think about profits, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at the progress review meeting. Picture by Sudath Silva

The President was speaking at the progress review meeting of the Power and Energy Ministry.

“Electricity is an integral part of the people’s day-to-day life and it is an indispensable factor for the country’s development endeavour,” the President added. He added that the Power and Energy Ministry should carry out their duties more effectively and in a people-friendly manner.

The President said the Government drew up plans for the fulfillment of the country’s power and energy requirements soon after it came into power in 2005.

He said that his Government succeeded in re-starting a number of mega power generation projects which had been abandoned by previous governments to solve the country’s power crisis. “We should fulfil what is expected of us by the people. The Ministry officials should take every possible effort to fulfil what the people want regardless of their political, racial or religious affiliations,” he added.

President Rajapaksa said the Ministry officials should play a pioneering role in the country’s development. He said the Government liberated the country from the clutches of terrorists and a massive development drive is under way.

The President referring to the soaring fuel prices in the world market said that the Government is in the process of planning a mechanism which will help maintain fuel prices at concessionary rate.

He lauded the Ministry’s efforts in restoration of power supply in the Eastern Province soon after it was liberated from the terrorists’ clutches. President Rajapaksa added that the Power and Energy Ministry has faced unprecedented challenges.

He said the Ministry was able to win many such challenges due to the dynamic leadership of Minister Ranawaka and its dedicated workforce.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Ministry is economically stable. The CEB has become an institution which do not record operational losses under the able leadership of Power and Energy Minister.

Matara-Colombo Expressway for public use soon

President calls for speedy completion

The Matara-Colombo Expressway is nearing completion and one section of this, from Makumbura to Pinnaduwa, will be opened to public by June this year.

The entire project is 126 kilometres long and stretches from Makumbura in Kottawa to Godagama in the southern province.

The project funded by Asian Development Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation will have 11 entry and exit ramps. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs.85 billion.

Nearly 30 percent of the Katunayake- Colombo expressway is also complete and it is possible to complete the entire expressway by the end of 2012, the Highway Ministry officials said at a meeting presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (6 Jan).

President Rajapaksa said the government had made the biggest allocation of Rs. 102 billion to the Highways Ministry in the past with the intention of providing an efficient and systematic road network and thereby enhancing the quality of life. The President added the maintenance of a proper road network is most essential to carry out the development program in an efficient manner to deliver the fruits of development to the people.

The meeting focused on the activities of the ministry during the past six years and its future plans.

Informing of the progress on various highway projects currently undertaken, the Ministry officials told the President about 855 kilometers of roads had been developed under the "Maga Neguma" project last year surpassing the expected target.

President instructed the officials to expedite work on roads near the three Cricket World Cup venues to cater to the large numbers of local and foreign fans expected for the event.

The Katunayake expressway is expected to be ready by the end of 2012.

Development challenges bigger

• Complete day’s work without delay

• Set example to rest of public sector

The challenge of development is much bigger than the challenges faced when defeating terrorism, and the staff of the Presidential Secretariat is well prepared to overcome these challenges, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The President addressing Presidential Secretariat staff marking the first working day of the public sector yesterday said that this staff is fortunate to be working at the Secretariat and hoped that they will set an example to the rest of the public sector.

He advised the staff and the entire public sector to complete the day’s work without delay and to be committed to serve the people. President Rajapaksa added that they need to ask themselves whether they carried out a service worthy of their salary.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga speaking on the occasion said that the Presidential Secretariat should live up to its position in the public sector and be efficient.

He pointed out that out of the 365 days, 122 are holidays with an additional 45 days. He advised his staff to make the best of the remaining working days to provide an excellent service to the public.

Weeratunge read out the pledge of the public service for 2011 themed, ‘Commit towards servicing the public with Metta’.

War heroes who lost their lives were also remembered.