July 29, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who is campaigning across the island to ensure the victory of candidates contesting the forthcoming General Elections from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), today pledged to establish an efficient public service ending corruption and irregularities in the public sector.

While touring the Kalutara District today (29) on campaign trail, the President pointed out that although more than 1.5 million people are in the public service, difficulties faced by the public in obtaining services are reported daily.

President Rajapaksa asserted that a public service dedicated for the people will be established by eliminating bribery, corruption and irregularities.

Commencing his visit to the Kalutara district, the President participated in a public rally organized by candidate Mahinda Samarasinghe at the Keselwatta Pradeshiya Sabha Stadium in Panadura.

Speaking at the gathering, the President said the government has initiated an economic process that has given priority to local production instead of the import trade system and urged the people to enter the field of agriculture and manufacturing and make the most of it.

The agrarian economy needs to be strengthened with the help of modern technology. To this end, the government has taken steps to stop the importation of agricultural crops and to increase the prices of crops.

President Rajapaksa further said steps will be taken to create 150,000 jobs for the unemployed graduates low income earners after the election.

The President told the people that all these opportunities would contribute to the economic development of the country.

Participating in a public meeting organized at the Panadura Municipal Council Grounds, the President engaged in a cordial chat with the people present and inquired about the shortcomings in the district.

At another meeting organized by former Minister of State Jayantha Samaraweera at the Korosduwa Stadium in Panadura, the President stated that the drinking water problem in many parts of the Kalutara District will be resolved.

The Easter attack and the COVID-19 epidemic have also disrupted the academic activities of students sitting for the GCE Advanced Level examination in 2021. A group of students present at the meeting requested the President to pay attention to this as well.

Focusing on the renovation of the Kalutara Nursing College the President handed over the request made regarding the renovation of the buildings of the Panadura Central College to Jayantha Samaraweera.