Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila and Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion State Minister Susil Premajayantha at yesterday’s meeting. MP Premanath Dolawatte was present. (Picture by PM’s Media)

The Urban Development and Housing Ministry will build a high rise housing complex for each Electorate soon, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Each housing complex will comprise a minimum 100 housing units mainly targeting the middle income families Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said at Temple Trees yesterday.

Commenting on the 20th Amendment, he said he was confident that there will be no issues in passing it in Parliament.

He said that earlier Cabinet Ministers and MP’s expressed diverse views and a committee too was appointed to review it and finally all have now agreed to support the 20th Amendment.

“I saw that the Opposition too had also appointed a committee.” The 20th Amendment was also successfully discussed with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with editors and news directors of electronic and print media at Temple Trees last morning.

Asked if the Government was planning to offer ‘perks’ to Opposition MPs who support the 20th Amendment, he said that there was no such necessity since the Government already had 150 seats. The Premier said that the people gave a two thirds majority firstly to change the 19th Amendment and then to introduce the 20th Amendment.

A committee headed by President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva has been appointed to draft a new Constitution for which a referendum is necessary.

The Premier also said several areas of mutual interest including the Indian fishermen’s issues were discussed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and there was no pressure to implement the 13th Amendment.

Asked to comment on the economic front, he said that it is the policy of the government to give priority to local industries. “For that, steps have already been taken to develop local industries,”he said.

 PM Rajapaksa said that this was one reason that several imports were curtailed.“However we have not put a stop to the import on spare parts and other necessary raw materials,” he said.

Commenting on the import ban on turmeric imports he said that they are still keeping this ban since the government is confident that the local farmer could grow and supply it to the local market soon. “The morement we lift this import ban shop shelves would be flooded with turmeric which will discourage the local grower.”

The government will also step in to iron out the controversy with regard to admitting school children to Grade One. “We well consider the Electoral list to determine the parent’s residency and ensure that there is no injustice in school admissions.

He said that the Cabinet will study the scarcity of coconut in the local market and take appropriate action with the consultation of the Trade Minister.

He said that both local and foreign debt servicing is currently done on schedule and Sri Lanka has never defaulted on debt payments.

The Premier also stressed that no discussions were held to reactive the MCC agreement.

Commenting on the opening of the airport, he said no decision has been taken in this regard since they have to take into account the growing number of COVID patients in Europe and India.

“We have begun successfully curbing the local narcotic menace by conducting coordinated raids and this will now be focused to halt the import of illicit drugs.We now want to catch the ‘big fish’.

He said that the investigation to the Central Bank bond scam is ongoing and plans to extradite Arjun Mahendran is continuing in accordance with international law.

He also said that emphasis is on local security and assured that there will be no security lapses.

Asked about the rumour that the Prime Minister was retiring, he said that he has no plans to do so. “Politicians don’t retire!,” he quipped.