Priority status for HRD next year

"Human Resources Development (HRD) will be given highest priority in the Government's plan for next year", said Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, at a recent meeting with members of Provincial Councils of the Gampaha District held in Parliament.

The Minister stated that significant strides had been achieved in the country's physical resources development as a result of the various economic policies that had been implemented by the government. He further said, that the country has the potential of achieving self=sufficiency in rice production at the end of this year. Furthermore, as a result of such steps taken by the Government to increase production and develop infrastructure, the national income of the country and per capita income had also risen.

In this context, the physical resources should benefit all communities in the country. The capital resources of the country need to be used for the development of human resources" the Minister said.

"Even though we have been able to improve physical resources in the country, malnutrition levels remain relatively high. Poverty is not the sole reason for malnutrition. it is also caused by a lack of availability of fresh and hygienic food, by the public not consuming nutritious food even when it is easily available, and also bad food habits. Arrangements have been made to implement a proper program to reduce malnutrition in the coming year", Minister Rajapaksa said.

Facilities are insufficient for the self-employment sector, which is vital to the country's production and employment generation. Self-employment such as three-wheeler driving has contributed immensely towards the country's economy. Special facilities have been given from next year to the self-employed and also for those seeking self-employment.

The Minister said that self-employment could play a big role to reduce the unemployment problem in the country. Therefore self-employment opportunities need to be created to further develop human resources development.