Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by E. Weerapperuma

YUGA DEKMA, the Industrial Exhibition was ceremonially opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday evening.

In his address the Premier emphasized the importance of making people aware of industrial development in the country. He also said that more jobs should be created and an increased economic scenario with industrial development was a must. People should also be aware of such development work. For development to become a reality - Peace is a sena qua non, he added.

Industries Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that he was able to get the exhibition off the ground in 24 days and said that the second such Industrial Exhibition would be held in Matara on August 6, 2003.

Minister Rauff Hakeem said that peace initiated by the UNF government has brought about an open opportunity for the development of under-developed areas.

He said that he was very grateful to the Industries Minister for choosing Trincomalee for the on-going exhibition, thereby providing a window for investors to look in at this area with many wonderful natural gifts which can transform the country from the situation it had got into because of strife.

He pointed out that before the Ethnic strife, the North/East contributed 15% to the GDP but it had come down to 4% by 1997.

Nikaweratiya Giriulla Prathiba Kala presented a dance performance accompanied by a song composed in praise of the Prime Minister and the Industries Minister. The PA Member for Trincomalee district M.K.D.S. Gunawardene who was present at the time of the opening of the Yuga Dekma, handed over a petition to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe seeking redress for Sinhalese who had suffered the consequence of war in the district. Later he told the Sunday Observer that 'Yuga Dekma' was a welcome solace to the minds of the people who had suffered for the last two decades due to ethnic strife.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager