COLOMBO, Nov 19 (NNN-SLNEWS) – Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said, in a special address to his nation that, the government was ready to strengthen efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption and poverty.
In the statement, on his first year anniversary since being sworn in as president, Rajapaksa said, with the world presently experiencing a second wave of COVID-19, the country was acting according to plan.
While successfully containing the spread of COVID-19, Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector had been able to maintain a mortality rate of less than 0.05 percent of those diagnosed with the disease and referred for treatment.
He called on Sri Lankans to adhere to health guidelines and fulfil their respective duties as responsible citizens, so as to control the new wave of virus.
Rajapaksa further pledged to eliminate waste and corruption in the state administration, as well as, in all the ministries and government institutions.
The president further said, within the past one year his government was able to provide 100,000 jobs, targeting the poorest of the poor in the country, and through each of these employment opportunities, a foundation was laid for a better future for extremely poor families.
So far, 35,000 jobs have been given to the most suitable candidates. The rest will be given jobs soon, he said.– NNN-SLNEWS
