Govt safeguarded national security and sovereignty; President says in May Day Message

COLOMBO (News 1st); "As promised to the people, our government has safeguarded national security and sovereignty," said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his May Day Message dated the 30th of April 2021, adding that the government has ensured that no harm would befall on Sri Lanka's national legacy and heritage.

Steps are being taken implement policies for the growth of local industries and agriculture-based economy, while a clear and well-defined economic plan has been formulated and being implemented to eradicate poverty, which is the biggest burden faced by a substantial segment of the working class, said the President. "The working community is one of the most adversely affected groups in the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has clearly understood that reality faced by our working masses. Hence, the government is working with commitment to ensure better living standards for its citizens without imposing limitations that obstruct the economic activities of the working people," added President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The maximum benefit received by the working masses and their families was the programme implemented to provide employment for unskilled individuals without any formal or professional education selected from underprivileged families, he said adding that the government has supported the life struggle of the working people by providing the provision of an allowance of Rs. 5,000 to low-income families. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa went on to note that the right of the working people was safeguarded by ensuring that all public sector employees were given their full salaries without any deductions and continuing to maintain all public welfare programmes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and similarly, the government raised the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs 1,000 each in order to raise the living standards of those people. The working people, especially the farmers in our country, will reap the benefits of the local economy that is being strengthened by the import restrictions imposed on 19 goods, he added.