Addressing the Matale District Development Committee meeting held at the Urban Council premises, yesterday, the President said that privatized state entities should be regained and run under efficient management like the SriLankan Airlines, the Insurance Corporation, Gas Company, Sewanagala sugar factory etc.  The President called upon the people and the politicians not to be misled by baseless allegations levelled for petty political gains.

The President also gave  instructions to the officials to launch a special programme to improve the educational and literary level of children in the Matale district which is below the national level.  He said the government's intention was to increase the computer literacy rate in Sri Lanka by the year 2016 to seventy five percent and that the Matale District should be ready to achieve this goal. He said that irrespective of party politics everyone should join hands to achieve this target.

He emphasised the need for a balanced mechanism to protect wild animals and the people of the area as well as the catchment areas and reservoirs which are important  for cultivation.

At this meeting the President who took the initiative of sorting out many issues of the area requested politicians to place the country above everything else so that maximum benefits will accrue to the people.

Ministers, Parliamentarians and many senior officials were among those who attended the meeting.(kh)