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by M.R.M. Niyas, Hambantota special correspondent

The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Fisheries Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the construction works on the new Kalametiya fisheries harbour to be set-up at a cost of Rs. 300 million in the Hambantota district on November 5.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted new fisheries harbour will be constructed in an eight acre extent with anchorage facility for 200 multi-day boats and will have a 325 meter breakwater.

After the inauguration of work, Minister Rajapaksa said "first of all we must have a country to initiate any development activity. The time has come to protect the country from being divided. The secret pacts signed between UNP and Tamil Party Alliance (JPA) and UNP-SLMC should be divulged to the masses. According to these secret pacts the country will be divided on communal basis, but during our tenure of Government we have served the people of every community without any discrimination.

Minister Rajapaksa said, 50,000 job opportunities will be created once the International harbour is constructed at Hambantota. Already a Chinese firm has offered their services to do the feasibility studies. An international harbour at Hambantota would enhance the income of the people of this district. There will be a better market for the agricultural produce of the farmers.

"The government during the past 7 years has developed every city in the Hambantota district. Before 1994 electricity was provided only for 12 percent of the people of the district, but at present it has been increased up to 34 percent. Several industrial parks have been set-up to provide employment for the youth.

Galle fisheries harbour was in a state of neglect when the PA Government came into power. The machinery at the harbour had been removed. We were able to renovate that harbour for the benefit of fisheries community.

He said, infrastructure facilities have been increased in the Hambantota district. Several Technical Colleges, and Vocational Training Centres have been set up to cater to the needs of the school leavers.

PA candidates for the Hambantota district Mahinda Amaraweera and Ajith Rajapaksa also spoke.

Chairman, Fisheries Harbour Corporation Nissanka Wijerathna delivered the welcome speech. 

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