While claiming it was sad to see only the Sinhalese being instructed to limit the number of children in their families, Minister Mervyn Silva said today he was ready to help large families which were struggling to feed, clothe and educate their children.

He said at the times of the kings, no one was asked to restrict the number of children nor taught family planning. Most families consisted of several children; some even a dozen.  

While families of other communities consist of several children the Sinhala people are told to limit the number of children. Have any number of children. I will help you if you find it difficult to maintain your children,” the minister said at a ceremony organised to handover dry rations to a family of eight chv ildren in Dompe .

Public Relations Minster Mervyn Silva expressed these views while handing dry rations to a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, residing in the Dompe Electorate.

They are under 10 years of age and two of them attend school while another is at a pre-school.