President instructs officials not to hinder the conventional livelihoods of the people

COLOMBO (News 1st):  President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Ravanakanda village in Imbulpe, Balangoda under the program "Gama Samaga Pilisandara" The objective of the program is to identify and provide solutions to the unresolved issues faced by residents of rural villages. Ravanakanda is a rural village located on the borders of the Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya Districts. The road leading to the village is severely dilapidated. Following discussions with the villagers of Ravanakanda, the President instructed the officials to immediately develop four by roads leading to the village. This includes two bridges built across Ura Oya and Imo Oya. Residents of several surrounding villages including Kattadikanda, Gallenakanda and Thoravel Kanda had also visited the Ravanakanda village to raise their problems to the President. Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa briefed them on the problems they had to face while cultivating kithul. The President further advised the officials to assist the villagers with necessary support as it will pose a positive impact on the environment. The President also instructed the officials to stop filing arbitrary cases against the villagers who enter the Forest Conservation and Wildlife Sanctuaries to pluck kithul or tea leaves. The President highlighted on opening a vocational training centre for the youth in the area. He also instructed officials to address the shortage of teachers in several schools in the area.