Serve public equally

Peace dividend should be enjoyed by all:

*Country today under one banner

* Need to accelerate development

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on State officials to serve all members of the public equally, without taking into consideration their caste, ethnic, religious and other differences.

He told them to consider serving the public similar to serving God.

He stressed that assistance to the masses should be distributed equally and advised State officials to impart their services without bias.

The President gave the above advise addressing both State officials and politicians during the progress review meeting of development activities in the Northern Province, held at Vanni Security Forces Headquarters, Vavuniya.

The occasion also made history as it was the first time that a President attended a development review meeting in the Northern Province.

The President continuing on the above subject told State officials that he had received certain complaints from the public on the issue and told them to act impartially and prevent a recurrence if such issues exist.

While commenting that the area had undergone a significant transition since emerging from the devastation caused by terrorism, the President noted that all should be committed to protect the hard won freedom and peace.

He told State officials to ensure that the dividends of peace go to the public in the form of economic development.

He said that now the country was united under one Government and told State officials that their prime objective should be to serve the public equally and productively.

President Rajapaksa on the occasion reviewed the progress of development work in the province and discussed future plans.

He brought to the notice of the officials several shortcomings and advised them to take swift measures to rectify the anomalies.

He emphasized on the need to accelerate development, renovation of school buildings, and dilapidated infrastructure, new housing facilities, resettlement, improving livelihood avenues, preventing encroachment of land, viable transportation, electricity etc. The event was attended by several Ministers including Basil Rajapaksa, Douglas Devananda and Rishard Badthuideen. Namal Rajapaksa MP, Jeya Sri Ranga MP too were in attendance.

Northern Governor Major General G A Chandrasiri, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander, the IGP, Ministry Secretaries, Government Agents of all districts in the Northern Province, Ministry Secretaries and other local and national level administrative officials were also present.