Oct 04, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today met with the farmers and media establishment owners to seek their views and suggestions for the preparation of the 2013 budget.

The President met with the representatives from farmer associations countrywide at the Temple Trees Thursday and discussed their difficulties and suggestions in the farming sector.

The representatives from the Northern and Eastern Provinces have expressed their desire to contribute to rejuvenate the agriculture in the two provinces still recovering from the three-decade long conflict.

The President has assured that all benefits currently enjoy by the farmers in the rest of the provinces will be given to the farmers in the North and East and the government will continue the programme to provide concessions for the drought hit farmers.

Ministers Mahinda Samaraweera, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Jagath Pushpakumara, Johnston Fernando, Reginald Cooray and government officials participated in the discussion.

Meeting with the electronic and print media owners the President Rajapaksa sought their views with regard to the next year's budget which includes a debate on media and information. The President also asked the electronic media to shoulder a great amount of responsibility to mould the characters of the younger generation.

Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Keheliya Rambukwella, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, and Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera also participated in the discussion.

(Photos by Chandana Perera)