East ideal for development

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said the Eastern Province is the best location to promote tourism, agriculture based industries and to launch vital development projects.

The Minister was addressing a workshop on Friday for prospective investors who intend setting up development projects in the Eastern Province under the Nagenahira Navodaya Program.

"There is extensive land, road access facilities and opportunities for development in the Eastern province which investors should grab and seek to expand their projects", he said.

Dr. Amunugama said the East coast is an ideal tourism zone with plenty of opportunities for water-borne, eco and agro based tourism. The East is a unique area due to the diversity in culture, rich fauna and flora, natural harbour, bio diversity and opportunities for deep water fishing, surfing and whale watching.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has identified sectors such as textile and apparel, food and beverage, paper, rubber and plastic products, leather and fishing boats which will be granted concessions and incentives.

Director (Resorts and Development) Sri Lanka Tourism Board Tissa Sooriyagoda said the slow progress in developing infrastructure, financial constraints, long travel time, underutilisation of resources and haphazard management are some of the major challenges to promote tourism in the Eastern province.

He said the lack of harmony among communities, poor infrastructure, unfavourable travel advisories, negative image and perceptions through media reports are impediments to initiate development in the East.