Rasika Somarathna and N P Rajadurai in Ratnapura

* Govt policy guided by peoples well-being

* Equity in development will be ensured

Development projects will not be carried out at the cost of the environment or by causing hardships to the people, although the country is on the path of rapid economic development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The President said projects which will cause loss of personal property on a large scale and environment degradation will be rejected and added his government was not prepared to implement projects which would cause hardships to a section of the people to benefit others.

He said certain Opposition elements were trying to obtain political mileage from the issue while spreading falsehoods to mislead the people. The governments policy in respect of all affairs will continue to be guided by the vital interests and well- being of the people. This will not yield to any other consideration, he said.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) election rally in support of its candidates contesting the upcoming polls from the Ratnapura district to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council on Saturday.

The President said the government has not neglected any village.

Development activities are taking place in all of them in line with the policy of achieving equity in development, he said.

Speaking on the upcoming PC polls, President Rajapaksa said Provincial Councils and other local government bodies were playing a very constructive role in developing villages, districts and provinces.

See the article here:
Development not at cost of environment - President