25th death anniversary of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa commemorated

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Today (May 1) marks the twenty-fifth death anniversary of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa.Ranasinghe Premadasa, rendered an immense service for the future of Sri Lanka though remarkable leadership. Premadasa who entered politics under the Ceylon Labour Party was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council before being elected as the deputy leader days after his election. In 1965, Ranasinghe Premadasa was elected to Parliament. Since then, he held numerous ministerial portfolios befoe becoming Prime Minister and eventually climbing the ladder to become the second executive president of Sri Lanka. Late President Premadasa launched the Semata Sevana Programme while serving as prime minister, and once elected as president he took measures to send back the Indian Peace Keeping Force - a move that brought him great praise from the people. Introducing a revolution to housing in the country, he launched the Gam-Udawa programme with a determination of providing housing to all Sri Lankans by 2000. While serving as president he dreamt of developing the rural economy and launched 100 garment factories and later expanded it to 200 providing employment to hundreds of thousands of youth in the country. During that time, export revenue increased rapidly and the Stock Market Index also rose to a record high.The Late President also introduced the Jana Saviya and Parental Guardian Schemes. President Ranasinghe Premadasa who rendered an insurmountable service to the nation was assassinated during the May Day Rally in 1993. This morning (May 1), a memorial was held beside the Premadasa statue in Hultsdorf, Colombo 12. Inline with the memorial day, 2,308 families were awarded title deeds. In addition, six Commonwealth Games medalists were awarded houses worth Rs. 3.5 million each.