He made these remarks participating at the “Mahaweli Maha Goviya” awards ceremony held yesterday (11th Aug.) at the Mahaweli Buddhi Mandapaya in Embilipitiy.

According to him, everyone must get together to strengthen the economy of the farming community to free them from the poverty and debt burden.  In this regard, all responsible institutions must work in collaboration to make the necessary changes in the field of agriculture with modern technology and research.

This program was organized by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority with the objective of making attitudinal changes of  farmers to accomplish the target of getting qualitative production from toxin-free farming and to encourage them in this regard to achieve the success of four-year national food production program under the national development goals to be achieved by 2020.

The awards were presented by the President for the winners of the “MahaweliMahaGoviya”, and “Best Mahaweli Farmers’ Organization” categories.

Harvesting machine worth more than Rs. Five million,four-wheel tractor, and two wheel drive tractor was given to the Best Mahaweli Farmer Organization winners. “MahaweliMahaGoviya” winners were presented a four-wheel tractor and two two-wheel drive tractors.