President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the Fisheries Ministry, one he is familiar with, came under his purview when Rajitha Senaratne left the government. He added that he appointed Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne to act on behalf of him.

Rajapaksa made this remark at a meeting in Weligama yesterday. Weligama is a town in Matara District which is famous for its fisheries industry. Rajapaksa was the Fisheries minister in the People’s Alliance government from 1997 under President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge.

Speaking further he added that he is not reluctant to appear in front of the people as he has delivered his promises to them. He further mentioned that he will focus more on the children of the country in his third term.

Rajapaksa added that the government has a plan and will implement it. It is not the government’s intention to see the children of the country leaving off in search of greener pastures in boats and getting into trouble. His intention is to create doctors, engineers and other professionals out of the children, he added.

President Rajapaksa took part in several public meetings in the Matara District yesterday.