President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Government is committed to developing the country even amid the heavy pressure excreted by certain parties.

The President made these observations on the occasion of handing over permanent deeds to 1200 low-income families of the Rathnapura and Kegalle district today (12).

President Rajapaksa went on to say that there is no media suppression in the country.He pointed out that this has been clearly expressed and affirmed by journalists themselves on several occasions and said that there is a political move to disgrace the country by highlighting these issues and taking things out of context.

 "There was a political need to go before the international community, claiming that people were being disappeared," he added.

The President emphasized that he respects human rights and is always prepared to safeguard these rights.
 
President Rajapaksa reiterated that his Government has taken a clear policy decision to develop the country as envisaged in his election manifesto, "Mahinda Chinthanaya", without confining development to Colombo.
 
He said that initial steps have already taken towards achieving the expected development goals during the past two and half years.
 
Clarifying several measures adopted by the Government, President Rajapaksa said that developing the local agricultural sector has been in the top priority of the government's agenda and it will continue to maintain this until the country reaches its expected goals.

(Courtesy : Department of Information )