Construction sector records a 10 percent growth [September 02 2011]

The government is to pay a special attention to solve the problems in the construction sector, which had shown a 10 percent growth from last year. This is revealed that a discussion held between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the with the representatives of the construction sector, pottery and tile industry, importers of wood, and cement manufacturers at Temple Trees in order to seek their views in preparing the government’s budgetary proposals for the coming year.

It was proposed to incorporate these proposals into the 2012 budget. These discussions were among a series of meetings that the President was to hold with the private sector in preparation of the 2012 Budget.

Special mention was made with regards to the scarcity of skilled workers in this sector and the President stated that a programme was needed to enhance the status of these workers and to develop a correct attitude in their minds and said he had implemented such a programme when he was Minister of Labour. He said that he was hopeful that with the implementation of the Bill relating to Constructions, most of the problems of persons involved in this industry would be solved.

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Nimal Siripala de Silva, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Minister of Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa, Acting Presidential Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Finance and Planning Ministry Dr P B Jayasundera and the respective secretaries of ministries participated at this discussion.