Premier never came into power for personal gains : Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

COLOMBO (News 1st) - An event to compensate the farmers in the Kurunegala district whose crops were damaged in the 2018 Yala Season was held at the Kurunagala town hall today (August 11) under the auspices of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Rs 14mn were allocated as compensation to 6659 paddy farmers in the district and 1000 paddy farmers were symbolically awarded compensation at the event. Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the farmers have to adapt to the new climate-changing patterns in order to profit from their crops. He added that the government has introduced a mobile app to assist the farmers in the matter. He questioned whether they could change the economy in five years when the previous government could not in ten years. He went on to note that whether media freedom existed back then as it is now? He added that if the previous government would come into power, Sri Lanka will go into a "white van" era once again. The General Secretary of the UNP, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam praised the premier stating that he was provided with the opportunity to come forward in his political career. Minister added that premier was far-sighted and the country wanted leaders of his calibre. He added that premier, Ranil Wickremesinghe never intended to come into power for personal gains.