Wadduwa Corr:
According to the policy of the government measures had already been taken to modernise all post offices in the country with latest technology and scientific methods in order to provide facilities to the public in urban and rural areas, said Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Nimal Siripala de Silva in Anguruwatota in the Bulathsinhala electorate.

The Minister was addressing a meeting held at Madurawela on the occasion of opening of the new building of D. D. H. Jayawardene Memorial Post office at Anguruwatota in Bulathsinhala.

The Anguruwatota Post Office which had been constructed in a plot of land donated by the late D. D. H. Jayawardene, ex-Chairman, Munwatta VC was ceremonially opened by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva following the invitation of Kalutara District (PA) MP Bulathsinhala SLFP organiser, Bandula P. Gunawardene.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today many problems crop up when land is taken for development activities, but the late D. D. H. Jayawardene once VC Chairman of Munwatta East and his family had set an example to the whole country by donating their plot of land for Anguruwatota Post Office and to honour him the post office had been named D. D. H. Jayawardene Memorial Post Office. "For this noble act on behalf of the government I thank Mr. Jayawardene’s family."

The Minister said, today the services in the Postal Department are essential to the general public. So steps have been taken to reorganise the setting up of post offices in an attractive manner with modern facilities as E-mail, Fax and Internet as the people want to have quick communication systems. Letters and telegrams should be delivered quickly. Then only the people will have faith in the postal services. In a few months shortcomings in Bulathsinhala area will be looked into and two tele print machines will also be provided.

He said today the UNP and the JVP are playing up saying the cost of living and price of goods are rocketing. "I admit the increase in the prices of goods. Unwillingly the government had to take these steps to face the existing war in the country. We burden the people who helped to form this government.

"War expenses increase rapidly. Last year we had to spend 6,000 billion rupees for the war and this year it had became double. We can’t do anything other than increase the prices of goods."

The minister said, "We can’t carry on a war without money. Necessary funds should be allocated to supply military equipment. The spirits of our soldiers in the battlefield is very high. While continuing the war in the north, we have not failed to continue development work in the country. If we suspend development work we can reduce the high prices of goods and cushion the lives of people but we cannot do so. We must bear up the difficulties for the sake of the country".

Kalutara District MP (PA) Bandula P. Gunawardene said the JVP and UNP are trying to mislead the people over the high cost of living. People have realised the situation of the country. What they want is peace. The President is doing her best to bring peace to the country.

Messrs. R. M. Jayasinghe, WP Deputy Postmaster General, Nandasiri Perera, Chairman, Bulathsinhala PS, Herbert Liyanage, Post Master, Anguruwatota and Ananda Jayawardene also spoke.