Progress of programmes of Presidential STF discussed

A discussion was held yesterday (16) at the President’s office on the progress of the Presidential Special Task Force and the special programmes conducted under the auspices of the President’s office.

The National drug prevention programme, Grama Shakthi People’s Movement, the programme to reconstruct 2400 Ellanga irrigation systems, National Environmental Conservation Programme, Agriculture Development Program, as well as the progress of “Pibidemu Polonnaruwa” District Development Programme were discussed at this meeting.

The President described the Grama Shakthi People’s Movement that is being conducted Islandwide as one of the most prominent projects conducted under this government and pointed out the importance of providing a clear knowledge on these projects to public officials in those areas.

President Sirisena also instructed officials to increase the funds given to Grama Shakthi production societies which were established under Grama Niladhari divisions in order to improve the livelihoods of the rural community.

A project conducted by the Grama Shakthi People’s Movement to make the country self-sufficient in liquid milk by 2020 would commence with a pilot project to provide schoolchildren with a glass of milk in January.

Attention was also paid to the progress of the National Environmental Conservation Programme and a progress review was conducted on the National Treeplanting Programme.

The progress of the Agricultural Development Programmes conducted Islandwide under the Local Food Development Programme also came up for discussion. President Sirisena, who pointed out that the rainy season is best suited for conducting the programme to plant trees, instructed officials to broaden the scope of such programmes such as the one established to distribute seeds to the farming community.

The progress of the Ellanga Irrigation System conducted Islandwide also came up for discussion. The President discussed the renovation of tanks blocked temporarily by mud where the steps have been taken to clean the tanks with the related parties. Secretary to the President Udaya. R. Senevirathne, Additional secretaries of the President’s office and senior officials were present at the discussion.