President Maithripala Sirisena says he has given instructions to the Defense Secretary and the Army to speedily rebuild the War Hero Monument near the Kurunegala town, which was removed temporarily due to Kurunegala- Dambulla road reconstruction works, more innovatively and attractive than it was before.
The President further said that the rumors stating that the Government has taken steps to remove the War Hero Monument near the Kurunegala town is totally false and said that he vehemently rejects those attempts which provide false information to the society to mislead the public.
He made these remarks participating in the national drug prevention program held at the Meegahaela Sports Grounds, Hiriyala, Kurunegala, yesterday (31).
President Sirisena said that even though in the development process various needs arise and if there was a need to remove a War Hero Monument, he has already given instructions to reinstall monuments at proper places giving them due respect.
This program was implemented as the first electorate level program of the national drug prevention campaign.
Several activities for the area including the launch of special operation programs under the Presidential Task Force to identify those who have been addicted to drugs at village level and rehabilitate them were initiated on this occasion.
Speaking further, the President pointed out that the drug addiction among the people with low income is one of the main reasons for the increase of poverty in the country.
He also stated that everybody should get together to free the country quickly from the drug menace to build the country to be a healthy nation.
The President pinned the official badges to the school children who are committed to the drug prevention program. He also presented awards to the officials dedicated to drug prevention.
The President also received honorary awards.
Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, and Dayasiri Jayasekara, Governor of the Northwestern Province Amara Piyaseeli Rathnayaka, Chief Minister Dharmasiri Dasanayaka, Project Director of the Northwestern Province Shantha Bandara, and the SLFP Organizer for Hiriyala Electorate Kamal Indika also participated.