First weekly fair at Minuwangoda declared open
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- Created on Monday, 21 May 2012 14:57
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The Government has taken steps to introduce the Divi Neguma Sathi Pola programme for modernising the main weekly fairs throughout the country to meet consumer requirements, since 80 percent of Sri Lanka’s population live in rural and the plantation areas, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa .
He was addressing a meeting held after the ceremonial launching of the Divi Naguma Sathipola program at the Minuwangoda town Sunday. The extent of main building of the Minuwangoda Sathi Pola built with Economic Development Ministry funds is 55,000 square feet with 696 stalls equipped with all modern facilities. The construction was undertaken by the Western Province Road Development Authority(PRDA).
These fairs reflected a way of life and were part of the people’s culture. Therefore President Mahinda Rajapaksa had entrusted the Economic Development Ministry with the task of modernizing weekly fairs throughout the island, Minister Basil Rajapaksa further said.
Minister further said that the President’s objective in launching the Divi Naguma program is to make the country self-sufficient in food and ensure food security for every citizen and also generate self-employment. It is with this aim that the Sathi Pola construction program commenced at Minuwangoda, heralding a new era in social progress.
As soon as the President entrusted the Economic Development Ministry with this task Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga undertook the responsibility. Thereafter Western Province Road Development Authority General Manager R.M.S. Bandaranaike directed the
work under the supervisionn of Western Provincial Council Minister Nimal Lansa. Work on the Minuwangoda Sathi Pola was completed in four months. Minister Rajapaksa expressed his thanks for a job well done.
He stressed the need for keeping the Sathi Pola clean and reminded that it was the responsibility of the Minunwangoda Mayor and councillors. He said that any renovations, repairs and maintenance if required should be done according to proper advice and measures should be taken to ensure that not only people’s needs are met but also public property is protected.
Minister Rajapaksa added the fair would serve as a sales point for home grown vegetables and fruits and other local products. Excess products could be sold to traders doing business in other areas He further said that today everything is being done in Gampaha District according to a proper plan. The projects cover highways and byways, maternal clinics, pre-schools, reservoirs, tanks and irrigation canals, jogging tracks, culverts, bridges and toilets among others.
In accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana Vision nine weekly fairs are being built under the Sathipola Project in the Gampaha District with funds provided by the Ministry. The buildings are coming up at Wattala-Bopitiya, Divulapitiya, Badalgama, Negombo-Kamachchode, Dompe-Kirindiwela and Pugoda, Mahara-Malwatu Hiripitiya, Gampaha-Weliweriya, Biyagama-Pattuwila and Minuwagoda. Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Provincial Council Minister Nimal Lansa, Deputy Ministers Duleep Wijesekera, Pandu Bandaranayake, Parliamentarian Sudarshani Fernandopulle and a large gathering were present on the occasion.
