The President pointed out that the most significant challenge of today in this peaceful country is  poverty and  said that the aim of the new government is to create an environment where the people will be able to live freely with a great sense of happiness.

Resolving land issues in the country can play a pivotal role in eradicating poverty in the country, the President said, adding that he will introduce a new land policy to ensure the land rights of the people.

The President recalled that the tension between the rich and the poor began centering in land rights and said that he believes that the new land policy will provide solutions for the issues related to the land demands with increasing population and for the challenges we faced in the local food production system.

The President further stated that the new government is committed to alleviate poverty, strengthen free education and free health and run the government institutions without corruption and fraud.

The delivering of the land deeds which is under the national program to hand over 25000 Ranbima land deeds island-wide was held in Pasgoda Divisional Secretariat. Accordingly, one family unit out of four in Pasgoda Divisional Secretariat received land deeds.

President Sirisena symbolically handed over the deeds to the recipients.

Minister of Lands M. K. D. S. Gunawardena, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Faizer Mustafa, State Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, State Minister of Lands T. B. Ekanayake, Chief Minister of Southern Province Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Province Minister Chandima Rasaputhra and Secretary to the Ministry of Lands I. K. H. Mahanama participated in this event.

The President also declared open Pasgoda Divisional Secretariat building. He also made an observation in Vocational Training Authority in Pasgoda and looked into the educational activities of the students there.