MR for more women’s participation in Pakistani politics
THURSDAY, 04 APRIL 2013
President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed the need to increase women’s participation in politics in Pakistan, an official statement said.
This was revealed during a courtesy call on President Rajapaksa this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, the visiting Secretary of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jilal Abbas Jilani, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The President and the Secretary also talked about the upcoming general election in Pakistan and the need to increase women’s participation in politics,” the statement said.
The visiting Secretary had told the President that “there is a marked difference” in Sri Lanka from when he last visited during the war in 2005.
“There is a peace and tranquility one feels,” Mr. Jilani said, adding that the difference is not only with the end of the war but with development activities as well. He further said, “We deeply appreciate and admire the manner in which your government has been able to take care of terrorism.”
President Rajapaksa thanked Pakistan for its continuous support both during and after the war, stating that Pakistan played a crucial role in assisting Sri Lanka during decisive points. While conveying “greetings and very best wishes” from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Mr. Jilani said, “
Mr. Jilani thanked President Rajapaksa for Sri Lanka’s support to Pakistan including during the dengue epidemic that Pakistan faced in 2011.
Following a request by the Pakistani government, Sri Lanka sent a dengue eradication team that assisted with a needs assessment and training of Pakistani medical personnel, the statement added.
This was revealed during a courtesy call on President Rajapaksa this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, the visiting Secretary of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jilal Abbas Jilani, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The President and the Secretary also talked about the upcoming general election in Pakistan and the need to increase women’s participation in politics,” the statement said.
The visiting Secretary had told the President that “there is a marked difference” in Sri Lanka from when he last visited during the war in 2005.
“There is a peace and tranquility one feels,” Mr. Jilani said, adding that the difference is not only with the end of the war but with development activities as well. He further said, “We deeply appreciate and admire the manner in which your government has been able to take care of terrorism.”
President Rajapaksa thanked Pakistan for its continuous support both during and after the war, stating that Pakistan played a crucial role in assisting Sri Lanka during decisive points. While conveying “greetings and very best wishes” from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Mr. Jilani said, “
Mr. Jilani thanked President Rajapaksa for Sri Lanka’s support to Pakistan including during the dengue epidemic that Pakistan faced in 2011.
Following a request by the Pakistani government, Sri Lanka sent a dengue eradication team that assisted with a needs assessment and training of Pakistani medical personnel, the statement added.
Those wearing Kurahan shawl mislead us say farmers
THURSDAY, 04 APRIL 2013
A large number of farmers in Pollonnaruwa District who sold their paddy harvest to Multi Purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS) and Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) have not received their monies yet say reports.
Some farmers have handed over their paddy several days ago but have not received money from these institutions.
It is revealed that the amount that has to be paid for the farmers in Polonnaruwa District for paddy bought by 9 MPCSs and the PMB is about Rs.150 million. Rs.100 million has to be paid for paddy bought by the MPCSs.
Farmers who have handed over their stocks of paddy to state institutions say they would not be able to celebrate New Year this time.
"How do we buy clothes for our children? Buy things for the New Year? If we don't get our money soon we would not be able to celebrate the New Year. Those wearing the 'Kurahan shawl' asked us not to fear anything. A farmer's son who washed his hands at the water course and handed over his nominations doesn't care about us now," said farmers.
The Asst. Commissioner of Cooperative Development in Polonnaruwa Ms. J.A. Hemalatha admitted that there was a delay in paying for paddy stocks bought by the MPCSs in Polonnaruwa due to the treasury not releasing due funds.
