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Bentota group correspondent

"The International Donor Conference held recently in Japan attended by the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had the international community pledging Rs. 5.5 billion in foreign aid and grants to Sri Lanka of this total amount the Premier hopes to allocate nearly 60 per cent to develop the country's agriculture sector including the North-East areas", said Samurdhi, Agriculture and Livestock Minister S.B. Dissanayake, when he opened the Regaining Sri Lanka National Agricultural Exhibition in Labuduwa, Galle.

Minister Dissanayake said: the Regaining Sri Lanka National Agricultural Exhibition is the brainchild of Agricultural Technology and Crop Productivity Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara held for the first time under the Ministry, which is conducted parallel to the Regaining Sri Lanka programme, designed to take the modern technology to the rural areas.

He said that a country with a bankrupt economy cannot attract foreign aid and that the leadership of Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has enabled us to achieve rapid economic development. In order to revive our economy, we made and we have to make a great deal of sacrifices including the slashing of welfare facilities, but we have now almost reached our target. Once we achieve a growth rate of 7 to 8 per cent, we will be able to face any challenge emerging from any quarter of the globe, he said. The Minister also said, the Ministry will conduct the exhibition in collaboration with Agriculture facilities affiliated to all universities and a large number of Government and Non-Governmental organisations. Nearly 150 exhibition stalls belonging to the Agriculture Ministry and other relevant Ministries will be displayed for the benefit of the public.

Agriculture Technology and Crop Productivity Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara said: This national level exhibition held on a 40 acre land belonging to the Agricultural Complex to focus public attention on agriculture in relation to the Regaining Sri Lanka programme implemented by prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Minister Nanayakkara said under the Prime Minister's Regaining Sri Lanka programme priority has been given to develop the agriculture sector.

The Minister said arrangements have been made to conduct this national exhibition throughout the country on alternative months. The second stage of this exhibition will be held at the Mahawewa Central College on October 20 which falls on National Farmers' Day. The third stage is expected to be held at Kotmale in December. In addition several banks will also conduct their stalls at the exhibition premises to educate farmers on their various low interest loan schemes implemented for the benefit of farmers. At present, the Ruhunu Development Bank provides a 9.5 per cent low interest credit facilities to farmers, he said.

Minister of Public Administration Vajira Abeywardene, Agriculture Development Minister D.M. Bandaranayake, Galle District MP Richard Pathirana, Bope-Poddala Divisional Secretary D.K.S. Amarasiri and several others also spoke, while Galle district MPs Gayantha Karunatilake, Jayantha Jayaweera, Ananda Abeywickrema, SPC members, PS chairmen and members, Heads of the Departments, also participated.

Minister S.B. Dissanayake also opened a new library, an audio visual unit and a statue of late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at the Labuduwa Agriculture Complex.

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