Stable environment for development - Prof. Peiris

by our Political Correspondent

Minister of Export Development and International Trade and Acting Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the collapse of the LTTE has created a stable environment of peace and tranquillity with the unique scope for the development of the country.

Prof. Peiris was addressing a seminar for youth organisations and leaders in the Uva-Wellassa area, last week.

Prof. Peiris in his address said: The recurring theme in evidence given before the Presidential Youth Commission in 1989 was a protest against social injustice arising from confinement of opportunities for advancement to privileged segments of society in urban areas, to the exclusion of talented youth in the rural hinterland of the country. This was encapsulated in the grievance, “Colombata Kiri, Apata Kekiri” (milk for Colombo and cucumber for us) which was widely articulated by representatives of youth from Jaffna to Matara, from Puttalam to Batticaloa, in evidence they gave before the Commission, the Minister commented.

Today, with the defeat of the LTTE and the ushering in of a stable environment of peace and tranquillity, there is unique scope for the development of the economy. This promotes the spheres of trade, investment and tourism. More than any other section of the community, it is the youth who stand to benefit from the atmosphere which prevails today, with the country embarking on a new era of promise and expectation.

“Rapid expansion of the economy will bring about a wide range of opportunities which can be suitably exploited by youth whose skills have been honed and sharpened by such pragmatic training.

“It is especially encouraging that these vistas of opportunity are being increasingly made available in the rural sector, with a particular focus on agricultural pursuits. The export development villages, which are being developed as a matter of priority, bring the primary producers of agricultural products directly into contact with companies engaged in the export of these products. This enables educated youth to participate in value addition in a variety of ways. Schemes involving micro-credit and private sector - public sector partnerships are being used as appropriate instruments for the achievement of these objectives.

“Major movements of population from villages to towns is not an acceptable social model for Sri Lanka, he pointed out. This results in grave problems arising from overcrowding, with adverse implications for housing, transport, sanitation and social issues. The Paddy Lands Act of 1958 laid the foundation of a social philosophy, entirely relevant for Sri Lanka, which place emphasis on the provision of facilities and services in the rural environment itself.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given priority to equitable distribution of resources within the island, with special importance being accorded to the development of regions which have been neglected over the decades.

With significantly greater financial resources now being available, the Uva-Wellassa area is an undisputed beneficiary”, prof. Peiris concluded.