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Kalutara group correspondent

The development of paddy cultivation is expected to reach 100 per cent of the requirement soon, said Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister S.B. Dissanayake.

Speaking at a meeting at the Kalutara district office at the 'Arunalu Employment Market' organised by Samurdhi animators and Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce, he said 68 per cent of the Sri Lankan population lived on paddy cultivation upto 1968.

"In the 70s, we imported 70 per cent of our rice needs. Today 40 per cent of the population live on paddy cultivation, but the produce has exceeded by 200,000 Kgs," Dissanayake said.

The Minister said former Presidents J. R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa held discussions with the LTTE and failed.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga also held talks with the LTTE and failed. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's peace process has borne fruit and the people are able to move freely because of the peace process, Dissanayake said.

"When we formed a government, we were faced with a minus situation in the capital account of the government. Therefore no new jobs could be offered to the unemployed while development and improvement of roads, canals and irrigation work had to be decreased and stopped," the Minister said.

Loans were obtained by the previous regime at high interest rates. Most have been brought down within one year. The government has been able to make the economic position reach a positive figure, he said. "Poverty among our people is because of drunkenness and lethargy," the Minister said.

Lands Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said there are 600 acres of fertile land on either side of Kaluganga.

Fruits grown on this land can be sold to tourists. This could bring foreign exchange, he said.

Water sports and motor races can be organised. The environment of either bank of the Kaluganga can be beautified. This will attract more tourists. When such projects are organised, self employment opportunities will arise, the Minister said.

S. Happuarachchi, Additional Government Agent, Kalutara, Nanda Illeperuma, Assistant Commissioner of Samurdhi, Kalutara District and Kamal Gamage, Director General of Chamber of Commerce, Kalutara District also spoke.

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