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Fresh thinking vital for productivity - Karu Jayasuriya

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

Productivity of the country can be enhanced through self discipline, fresh thinking, making bold decisions and amiable leadership," said the Minister of Power and Energy Karu Jayasuriya at the Investment Forum on the theme of "The Region of Opportunity", held at the Hotel Oasis, Sisilasagama, Hambantota last Thursday.

Minister Jayasuriya further said that our productivity was one of the lowest and that must be changed, if we were to march forward to uplift the living standard of the people of this region.

The Investment Forum was organised by the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) in association with the Ministry of Southern Region Development, Rural Economic Advancement Program, Southern Development Authority and the Southern Provincial Council.

"While the Government is looking for a private sector led growth in the country, it would provide infrastructure facilities and other incentives to attract investors for the rapid development of the country. "I assure you that the Government of Sri Lanka and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are fully committed to take this region very seriously. We have a national commitment. When we in the opposition we publicly said that we are going to develop the Hambantota region. Hambantota was the breeding ground for the two insurrections. Apart from the fact that we are committed to uplift the living conditions of the people," Minister Jayasuriya said.

"Hambantota has been selected as an area of massive development projects, this will not only benefit the people of Hambantota region but also the people of this country," he said. The Minister Jayasuriya noted that Government is committed to provide employment for several thousands of young graduates who are passing-out from the universities, the country has the enormous wealth of educated youth, this will give a big boost for the development that is to come. With the coming of Southern highway the entire region would get a new facelift, the economy would take-off, because speed travel is the part and parcel for the development. The Southern highway will bring a complete change in the present system.

The people of this country gave a new mandate, a mandate for cohabitation, with the President from one party and the Prime-Minister and the cabinet from another party that also being tested. There are occasional differences but I hope going on the theory that all problems are man-made that can be solved, he added.

Minister of Southern Region Development Ananda Kularathna, speaking at the Investment Forum requested the investors to come and initiate new projects under the 577 village program initiated by him. He also said that the Hambantota region which is full natural resources can be harnessed to make this region a hub of the Asia.

Project Director Southern Province Rural Economic Advancement Project W. M. Leelasena: Secretary to the Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Ranjith Fernando; Chairman, Internation Chamber of Commerce and Chairman Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd, Mahendra Amarasuriya and Director General, HDCC Azmi Thassim also spoke.

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