(UDHAYAM, POLONNARUWA) – “If I can’t face challenges and criticisms, I wouldn’t have come out of the former Government in November 2014. The Government will move forward without any fear of the challenges and criticisms, for the betterment of the people of the country”, says President Maithripala Sirisena.
“How many humiliations and insults Mahatma Gandhi faced during his struggles? But today the entire world is respecting him”, he said.
The President was speaking at a ceremony held on Sunday (09) to open the Polysac Factory built in Sinhapura, Welikanda, Polonnaruwa.
This new factory of New Rathna Pvt. Ltd. manufactures packaging for rice. This has created 350 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs for the youth in Polonnaruwa District.
The President declared open the factory by unveiling the plaque. Later he went around the factory premises.
The President also observed the mango plantation project, affiliated to Rathna Polysac Company and observed the rice processing centre too.
He expressed his satisfaction over the opportunities created to strengthen the livelihoods of the farming community in Polonnaruwa. He said these kinds of factories which strengthen the national economy and support people’s livelihood, should be established in many fields in the country. “The Government will encourage those and provide required facilities to them”, he said.
The President said the Government will take actions to stop the importation of poly-sac productions to encourage and strengthen the local manufacturers.
“Though the former Government did not fulfil its duty for Polonnaruwa even when they were capable of doing it, the current Government will fulfil that responsibility. Hence, Polonnaruwa will be added to the list of developed districts in the country”, the President said.
President Sirisena presented souvenirs to the workers who have long term service at New Rathna Company. He was also presented a souvenir.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Chief Minister of North Central Province Peshala Jayarathne, Members of Parliament (MPs) Siripala Gamlath, Chandrasiri Suriyaarachchi, Provincial Minister N. D. Samantha and the Chairman of New Rathna Company L. Mithrapala were among those participated in this occasion.
