Milinda’s campaign with a difference

“There is a golden opportunity before us at the end of the over three decade long war, to rebuild the country,” Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Justice and Law said while addressing the employees at the Spencer Denim Industries Apparel factory in Padukka recently.

The Leader of the Sri Lanka National Congress and UPFA candidate for the Colombo District, Moragoda discussed with the factory workers his ideas and policies as outlined in the SLNC “Agenda for Influencing the Government”. Among the issues discussed were the status of the GSP+ facility and the future of the garment industry in Sri Lanka

The Government will take all necessary steps to present G S P + facility which is being withdrawn by European Union “but our responsibility is to be branded, an excellence possession of the Sri Lankan product in the world.”

‘’ The discussion to retain the GSP+ have been successful and we are optimistic that Sri Lanka would be able to enjoy this facility in the future too’’ he said.

The Minister also explained to the workers about the importance of country branding and was happy to note that Spencer Garments was already successfully selling its own brand in the UK.

In the context of the current campaign frenzy, Moragoda, who is standing for reelection in the Colombo District as a candidate on the UPFA list has been carrying out an extravagance-free campaign, which places the focus on substance and respect of the citizen. As part of this campaign, he is meeting small groups of citizens, and holding discussions which focus on the issues important to the public, rather than large campaign rallies.

In order to highlight the gross waste of money spent on campaigns, and as a symbolic gesture against the massive amounts of money wasted on posters, cutouts, firecrackers and campaign tamashas, he has made donations to community development projects from the savings he has made from his no-frills campaign.

Moragoda also visited a corporate social responsibility project done by Spencer Denim Industries in the village and met with the residents of the area.

Mr. R. A. D. Sirisena General Secretary of Sri Lanka National Congress and Dayananda Silva, Managing Director of Spencer Denim Industries (Pvt) Ltd. were also present at the event.

- Asian Tribune -