Emphasis on four areas in Jaffna development

by Our Political Correspondent

The Tamil community has a great deal to lose on account of initiatives, direct and insidious, in various quarters to undermine durable peace in pursuit of partisan political gains, according to Minister of Export development and International Trade, Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Prof. Peiris who was in Jaffna made the above observations when he addressed the academics, members of the civil society and the business community there.

Prof. Peiris said: "The situation now prevailing in the country after the eradication of terrorism enables the inherent potential of the Northern Province to be fully realised for the benefit of all its inhabitants.

The Government's plans for the development of the area involves emphasis on four major areas of economic activity - agriculture, fisheries, small and medium sector industries and the service sector," he added.

At the meeting held at the District Secretariat in Jaffna K. Poornachandran, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Yalpanam, expressed enthusiasm about using the positive environment in the country for the achievement of rapid economic progress.

Prof. P. Balasundaram Pillai, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna made a detailed presentation to Prof. Peiris about the priority needs of Jaffan district. Prof. Peiris said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sacrificed two years of his first term to enable voters of the Northern Province, who were deprived by the LTTE of the Opportunity of using their franchise in November 2005, to participate fully in the national mandate he has sought for economic development and reconstruction.

All plans which had been drawn up in the past in relation to the political process had failed because of the lack of a national consensus for implementation, Prof. Peiris said. However the country now has the advantage of a leader who has the capability to deliver, and this opportunity should not be missed, he stressed.

He had earlier distributed equipment at the fruit-based products factory at Uduvil, Chunnakam, for the upgrading of these products with a view to satisfying ISO requirements and securing access to international markets. A cold room, laboratory equipment and packaging materials were distributed as part of the program of the Export Development Board in connection with the expansion of agriculture promotion villages.

Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Service and Social Welfare, joined Prof. Peiris in the distribution of equipment of upgrading of agriculture.

At the University of Jaffna, Prof. Peiris, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, met with the Vice Chancellor Prof. N. Shanmugalingam and several Deans, Professors and academics for a discussion on the current political situation.

Prof. Pieris and Chairman of the Industrial Development Board Gamini Gunadasa, later met at the IDB office in Jaffna to discuss plans for the development of the Jaffna district.

Religious dignitaries of Jaffan met Prof. Peiris for an exchange of views, in which Minister Devananda also participated.