Program from next year to select best farmers in provincial & national levels: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he would implement a program from next year to select the best farmers in provincial and national levels. He said he would take any possible action as a government to empower the farming community in the government’s program to build a self-sufficient country by making this country rich in agriculture again. The President made these remarks at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (Sep. 14) to make the District Secretaries informative about the national programs implemented by the Government. The discussion was further focused on the implementation of the drug prevention national program, environment conservation program, kidney disease prevention program as well as the local food production program in district level in the future. President Sirisena emphasized that he would not hesitate to take legal actions against those who pollute the environment, irrespective of the positions they hold. He also said he would take action to provide purified drinking water within next two years to all areas where the kidney disease is prevalent. President Sirisena emphasized that, to make the victory achieved on January 8 a real victory, everybody should be united ignoring divisions of parties and colors to make these programs successful. He further said that he would participate every district coordinating meeting from this October onwards. Ministers Duminda disanayake, Vajira Abeywardena and Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon also participated in this discussion.