President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed relevant authorities to implement the rural tanks rehabilitation program as an ongoing program.
The President speaking at a meeting with the officials of the Mahaweli Development Ministry today (18th) said the tanks rehabilitation program needs to be strengthened to successfully meet the climate changes that we are experiencing today.
The President as the subject minister paid an unannounced visit to the Mahaweli Development Ministry today. He inspected the activities of the ministry and later joined the senior officials for a discussion at the auditorium.
The President, focusing attention on the progress of the program implemented to distribute 100,000 land title deeds to the Mahaweli residents as a solution to their long-term problems, instructed the officials to expedite and finish the program.
Thereafter, the President visited the Central Environmental Authority and inspecting the work there as well inquired about the progress on the programs implemented by the Authority and its future development plans.
The President drawing attention to the issues that have arisen during the process of mining minerals, instructed that the CEA, Mahaweli Authority and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to equally share the responsibilities.
The President instructed that when issuing licenses for mining, it should be done with the cooperation of the relevant officials of all three institutions and only after verifying that they are in compliance with relevant conditions. He also pointed out the need for the relevant institutions to meet on a monthly basis and discuss resolving the issues that arise in the sector.
The President also instructed the Secretary of the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry to release environmental officers attached to the District Offices to the Divisional Secretariats with immediate effect.
President Sirisena noting that at present there are about 89 Environmental Officer vacancies instructed the officials to recruit graduates to fill the existing vacancies promptly.
State Minister of Mahaweli Development Weerakumara Dissanayake, Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry Secretary Anura Dissanayake, Director General of Mahaweli Authority Sarath Chandrasiri Withana and senior officials of the ministry participated in the discussion.
