Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena declared Trincomalee as the gateway to the future development of Asia, adding that the right to land should be upheld, despite its ownership.
He said this while attending the Trincomalee district programme of ‘New Village-New Country’ National Integration Participatory Development Programme held at the Trincomalee district Secretariat on Saturday (5).
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister stated that, since the new harvest is coming to the market, it is suggested to make it more efficient for our institutes to compete and purchase, by offering a better price. We are confident that obtaining the necessary financial provisions can be resolved by the President. A number of issues related to farmers were eased 10 months ago, to facilitate food production.
The international community is ready to support us, as we are in a position to rise again through this challenge. The President was able to restart many projects that had been halted. Preparations from GA to Divisional Secretaries must be in place to support these food security projects.
Loans and seeds have been given to farmers to increase yields. The Government will arrange to buy the harvest. However, records show that 38 percent of the harvest goes waste, which is another serious problem in our country. Despite the investment, the hardship and the borrowings, the harvest is wasted, without it reaching the market. This should be rectified expeditiously. The related supply chain and network should be interconnected and operate efficiently. Then the farmer, as well as the consumer, can be assured of food safety. Divisional Secretaries should pay special attention to this matter.
The President took a decision to temporarily cultivate unused lands. We are the inheritors of a land that bears fruits 60 to 90 days. If crops receive water on time, whatever is planted will bear fruit. That is why we repeatedly advise the Government mechanism to support the cultivation of different crops.
Regardless of land rights, the Government’s decision to allow rural farmers interested in land cultivation, should be successfully implemented.
In 1957, when my father, Philip Gunawardena was the Agriculture Minister, he started the Kantale Sugar Factory, with the help of Czechoslovakia.
Trincomalee is the gateway through which Sri Lanka can facilitate the future development of Asia.
Trincomalee is in close proximity to the littoral states of the Bay of Bengal. Accordingly, you should prepare a development plan forthwith.
It is very important to prepare a district development plan involving all the divisional secretaries, to convert the future industries created by utilising the port, foro the development of the people of the area.
It is ready to set up a programme to develop special industries, agriculture and fishing industries along the Eastern coas for export.”
Eastern Province Governor Sendhil Thondaman, State Ministers Ashoka Priyantha, Janaka Vakkambura, Members of Parliament Kapila Athukorala, A.L.M. Ataullah, M.S. Taufik, Yadamini Gunawardena, Presidential Advisor Dr. Suren Batagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Administration Ranjith Ashoka, Trincomalee District Secretary and relevant Government officials and organisation representatives participated.