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by Sigiriya group correspondent

Some people make a fuss over the financial assistance we get from donor countries, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. They are all for Sri Lanka - and there won't be any discrimination.

They will be equally distributed and nothing additional will be done in favour of any part at the expense of the other parts of the country, said the Minister of Central Region Development Tissa Attanayake at several public meetings held at Morayaya, Adaganawa, Minipe and Hibutuwagama where he commissioned rural electrification project and Heath care improvements to public ownership.

The Minister said the Central Region Development Ministry has implemented several welfare projects successfully. They include the Poverty alleviation program, that is in active process now, and Rural Electrification - up grading plantation sector, fisheries and aquaculture projects, agro-irrigational infrastructure developments, rural drinking water schemes and health services and infrastructure works. This is a massive task, but we go ahead as they are necessary for sustainable development.

"Now Ududumbara and several villages in Kothmale have electricity with which they have started many business ventures.

"83 villages in the Central Development Region were developed under Poverty Reduction Agreement which we signed last year with the ADB - costing around US$ 250 million. This was the largest ever package which we use for that purpose Upcountry Development Department and Regional Economic Development Projects have drawn up several other projects for the lesser income groups of people" - Mr. Attanayake said.

In the coming years our economic growth will be further improved. Our portfolio of concessionary grants for foreign investment have attracted foreign investment. Central Region Development, with the assistance of BoI - is to have a Trade Fair and an Exhibition. This is all to have foreign capital be utilized in our country - Minister Attanayake said.

He said relief granted to foreigners have pleased them. We see significant donors from India, South Korea and Kuwait, were seen with several trade delegations.

Even our companies and business enterprises release heathy profits records. These are all positive signs, because of the on going peace accord. The entire nation is grateful to our Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe for his great effort - to make our country push towards prosperity, said Minister Tissa Attanayake.

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