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The UNF government has implemented many programmes that have the direct involvement of women to increase their income levels.

The government has distributed 100 coir winding machines under this programme, said Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs. Speaking at a ceremony at the Hikkaduwa Lion's Club auditorium where 100 machines for cottage industry in coir products were presented to unemployed women selected from the Hikkaduwa area. The Minister said although women in this country enjoyed their voting rights since 1931, no political party represented had any special agenda or programme put forward on behalf of the women until December 2001.

This programme was organised by the Export Development Board which comes under the purview of the Ministry, to uplift the social and economic standards of rural women.

Prof. Peiris said Sri Lankan women leave the shores for the Middle East for employment to earn a better living, build houses and live better lives.

"Sometimes they face many difficulties. Therefore, part of our programme aims at encouraging the women folk to stay in the country protecting their families and increasing their incomes. Hence, on the request of Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake, this Ministry has embarked on this programme. This machine will help increase production capacity.

These products are very much in demand in Germany. Whilst modern technology adds value to the products, it also increases the production capacity, enabling the women to earn better incomes," he said. The Minister said all this is possible due to peace in the country, which is the seed of development. "The colossal amount expended on the war is now saved. We have been able to allocate Rs. 2200 lakhs as flood relief towards building houses and renovations. Similarly we were able to allocate money for the Colombo-Matara express way, which would increase the benefits with the increase in the value of lands," Prof. Peiris said.

"When comparing the monetary resources obtained from external sources last year, with the investments of this year, there is a three-fold increase. Similarly local investment has increased by 56 per cent. These figures have a direct impact on your lives. The benefits of investments were then realized only by the Colombo and Gampaha districts but today, the benefits are even spreading over to Galle and other districts. These investments have enabled the government to provide 19,000 jobs in the previous year and 33,000 within the past nine months," the Minister said.

He said with the decentralisation of the Board of Investment, its benefits have been extended to remote areas. The government has allocated large amounts of money towards infrastructure facilities such as roads, irrigation, power, communications, etc., which facilitate development.

However, there is a certain group that looks down on all these activities, working towards sabotaging the peace process thereby instigating a war situation in the country for political benefits. Do you approve of their pro-war policies? Or do you approve of the government's gigantic development process? This is an important decision to be made by people of the South, the Minister said.

Vajira Abeywadhene, Public Administration, Management and Reforms said today we are handing over 100 machines.

"We distributed 100 machines even before. We will do this in the future too for the progress of this industry. However, in the past era there were no investors, buyers for marketing the products. Jaffna was the main market for Coir strings, ropes etc., manufactured in the Rathgama, Boossa, Ambalangoda, Seenigama and Hikkaduwa areas," the Minister said.

This was however not possible due to the war. The government has been able to gradually get the situation back to normal. The market will still expand with the largest and main economic centre being constructed in Boossa in the South and the development of infrastructure including the expressway, he said.

Amara Piyasseli Ratnayake, Minister of Women's Affairs said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the previous budgetary debates stated that 52 per cent in the country being women, the cooperation and assistance of all Ministries should be extended to them in every way.

Their strengths and abilities should be incorporated in the development process. In this aspect, the activities carried out by Prof. G.L. Peiris with the assistance of the institutions coming under his purview are deeply appreciated, she said.

H.L. Manoj Chrisantha Jayasuriya Mayor of Hikkaduwa, Ashoka Dhanavansa Silva, Member of Southern Provincial Council and Upali Sirisumana, UNF Organiser for Ambalangoda were also present.

Documents relating to ownership of machines were handed by Ministers Peiris, Abeywardhene and Ratnayake.

Manel Panditasekera, Advisor, Sri Lanka Export Development Board delivered the welcome address while Prasadh Daluwate, Manager for Southern Province, EDB delivered the vote of thanks.

Indrani Irangani also addressed the gathering, representing the women's associations. A stock of garments arranged by the Ministry to be distributed among the flood victims, was handed over by Minister Peiris to Minister Abeywardhene.

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