Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the establishment of gunpowder warehouses in villages despite public protest is unacceptable.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while attending the Sitawaka Pradesheeya Coordinating Committee meeting. The Prime Minister further commented that the proposal presented to the Sitawaka Coordination Committee to establish a warehouse for gunpowder and explosives used for stone quarrying which had been stored in several police stations in Hanwella, Diddeniya villages cannot be approved. The Prime Minister said that such activities should not be carried out as the storage of explosives in areas where people live can create unnecessary fear and disturbance among the public. Also, regarding the use of buses belonging to the Avissawella depot for services outside the area, the Prime Minister directed the officers to ensure that such activities do not occur in the future and said that it is the government’s responsibility to fulfill the transportation needs of the rural people. He also said that the drinking water issue of the people of the town should be solved by implementing the Avissawella new town water scheme. It was also emphasized that public representatives and government officials have the responsibility of paying attention to the fair facts presented by the people.
Public representatives including former Chairman of Sitawaka Pradeshiya Sabha Mr. Jayantha Rohana, Avissawella organizer of Podu Jana Peramuna, Attorney at Law Mr. Ravindra Jayasinghe, and other government officials were present on this occasion.
Prime Minister’s Media