The president made these comments during the Anuradhapura District Development Committee meeting held at the North-Central Province Auditorium yesterday (15).

“The circular which is effective from today issued by the Ministry of Environment regarding the stone, soil and sand mining should be strictly followed,” the President said, adding that it is the responsibility of divisional secretaries and district administrative officers.

We need to preserve our forests, wildlife and natural environment for the sake of human well-being, and it is the responsibility of a government to commit in this regard, President Sirisena further said.

This new circular does not have any impact on the needs of ordinary people like housing need, and the main objective of this circular is to work against the smugglers, he added.

Answering the questions regarding the development programs of the district President Sirisena stated that the local government institutions and the line ministries have the responsibility of growing seeds in the farms under their supervision for the farmers, and if that is not satisfactorily done the government will have to take necessary follow up actions.

The administrative officers and people’s representatives of the district were briefed about the development programs of the new government

Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa, Chandrani Bandara, all the MPs and Local Government Ministers who represent the Anuradhapura District, Secretary to the President, P.B Abeykoon, Additional Secretary to the President Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake, Ministry Secretaries and public servants participated in the meeting.