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Trincomalee correspondent

Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris who alongwith Industries Minister Rohitha Bogollagama participated in the commissioning of the new cement processing system and automated railway loading system at the Tokyo Cement Company at Cod Bay, Trincomalee said the challenge now is to make use of the resources specially in the areas which were ravaged due to two decades of war.

He said at the Tokyo Conference this little country was able to command the respect of bigger countries in the world. Never in the history of Sri Lanka such a conference has taken place.

Prof. Peiris continuing said Sri Lanka will receive more funds than US$ 4.5 billion as the contribution by Japanese Government in the 4th year has not been taken into account. As far as the North East Provinces in concerned no development work will be undertaken without consulting the LTTE.

He said though the LTTE did not participate at the Tokyo conference the LTTE will be a partner in the disbursement of funds. The LTTE has a major role to play in the development programmes that will be drawn up for the North East Province. The LTTE has categorically said they will not fight for a separate state. LTTE has said over and over that there will be no danger of resumption of violence and they will not enter into war in future. People are now living in confidence that there will be no war in the future.

The promised $ 15m contribution by the United Kingdom to the North East reconstruction fund will be disbursed in consultation with the LTTE.

Minister said the Eastern Province has huge potentials for tourist development and expansion of agriculture activities.

Mentioning about the activities of the Tokyo Cement Co. Minister Pieris said government will provide all possible assistance to develop the cement industry.

Minister of Industries Rohitha Bogollagama said we are seeing the dawn of new development in the country. For the last two decades there was no development activities in the North East.

He said the Tokyo Cement Co. has become a challenge in the cement industry in this country. There should be competition in the industrial field too and government encourage value addition in industries. Bigger industrial concerns should help smaller industrial enterprises.

Managing Director, Tokyo Cement Co. S.R. Gnanam said one of the main roles addressed by the company from its inception is the social responsibility and to be a good cooperate citizen. In this connection Tokyo Cement Co. has been involved itself setting aside an annual budget of Rs. 5m towards this exercise.

He said the company has sponsored children's parks in schools in Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Polonnaruwa and Ampara districts and have engaged in several tree planting programmes specially on the World Environment Day.

Gnanam further said while upgrading the houses of company employees and improving their living conditions, the company is also constructing ten houses in Chenaiur in the Mutur division as a pilot project to cooperate with World Habitat for Humanity. A plan is drawn up to continue this programme in other deserving areas too. The company has also actively participated in assisting several orphanages specially in Trincomalee district.

As an extension a decision has been taken to make donations to children's homes in other areas too.

Managing Director, Tokyo Cement Co. K. Yanagihara said with the opening of the new cement processing system the annual manufacturing capacity will increase to 900,000 mt. from 600,000 mt.

Tokyo cement is a joint venture between Mitsui Mining Co. of Japan and St. Anthony's Consolidated of Sri Lanka. Japanese are quality conscious and always want to be No. 1 in this aspect.

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