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Just over one year after the United National Front government assumed office, it is heartening to see the people of Sri Lanka living as free citizens now free from fear of death and disaster. Peace throughout the country has ushered in the confidence and hope of a better future among the people of all communities, said the Minister of Plantation Industries, Lakshman Kiriella at the commencement of a Development Programme at Yatinuwara Electorate.

He said today with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister there is a professional approach to governance with meetings held on time and to agenda.

"Our Prime Minister from the beginning, soon after coming to power stated that the first year would be difficult as during that period a strong foundation would be laid to attain the country's economic growth focusing on the increased productivity of our export products. In the second year of our government now we are experiencing an economic growth resulting from our economic planning as predicted by the Prime Minister.

"We have also controlled inflation and it will be brought down further in this year. The Tourist Industry has comeback to normal and the foreign tourists are flocking into the country and the flow will continue to increase.

That is owing to our ushering in a climate of peace and tranquillity in the country.

"Several laws to win the confidence of the donor countries and foreign investors have been passed and the prospects of foreign investments coming into the country have become ever so bright.

"Our Prime Minister always took the people into his confidence by telling them the truth. He from the beginning said that there are no shortcuts to develop countries. It had to be done with proper planning, hard work and a measure of sacrifice.

The Minister said it is heartening to see the fruits of our labour being enjoyed by our nation and the result of that firm economic foundation now reaching the people in the way of increased exports in tea, rubber and other agricultural products. Rubber prices shot up within six months of the UNF government coming to power.

Rubber growers started uprooting rubber trees as a kilo of sheet rubber dropped to Rs. 20 a kilo. With the UNF government led by our Prime Minister, coming to power the price of rubber started to go up. Owing to a series of steps and sound strategy the Ministry of Plantation Industries adopted, the price of rubber has shot up to Rs. 90 per kilo today. As for coconut output, a two year continuous drought had contributed to a shortfall in production. The Ministry along with the Coconut Board has studied various methods of fertilising and irrigation to increase the output.

This year an all time record tea harvest in Sri Lanka was achieved.

He said we have embarked on a system of drip irrigation which has proved to be effective in respect of coconut cultivation. Even during a long drought the drip irrigation has proved to keep up the normal production in such coconut plantations. The coconut plantations affected by the war in the North and the East are being replanted. The Coconut Board has employed additional staff for the replantation projects there.

Several nurseries to provide coconut plants to growers have been set up. In order to provide coconuts to consumers at reasonable price, the Coconut Board sends lorry loads of coconuts to markets in townships and village fairs.

The Ministry has also brought back various subsidies that were taken away by the previous regime. Fertilizer subsidy, replanting subsidy assistance to new plantations were reintroduced by the UNF government.

He said, Today certain political parties which believe in revolutions and killings are trying to organise themselves to repeat their past actions. They now pose as paragons of virtue and angels of democracy but they are completely mistaken, as the people know what their agenda is. When they go before the people they and their newly won friends will get the answer they deserve.

The Minister at this ceremony held at Illadora Pothgul Vihara, Kadugannawa presented cheques to tea smallholders as subsidies. They were also given agricultural implements and coconut plants for their home gardens.

Ven. Bulumulla Buddharakkita Thera said that Minister Kiriella had come to Yatinuwara with lorry loads of coconuts and coconut plants for the people here. We are very grateful for that.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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