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From Uditha Kumarasinghe in Batticaloa

The farmers in Batticaloa and the LTTE gave a rousing welcome to Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi Minister S. B. Dissanayake during his tour to Batticaloa on Saturday to look into problems faced by farmers in the district.

This is the first time in two decades that an Agriculture Minister of the Central Government toured Batticaloa district. This was possible as a result of the MoU signed between the Government and the LTTE aimed at bringing a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.

The farmers and the LTTE highly appreciated the Minister's visit to Batticaloa after 20 years to look into their grievances. They also placed their confidence to the government's initiative to develop agriculture and livestock sectors in the district.

As a symbolic gesture, the Minister was welcomed by LTTE political-wing leader for Batticaloa and Ampara districts, E. Kaushalyan, LTTE economic chief for Batticaloa and Ampara, Nisham and LTTE administrative officer for Batticaloa and Ampara, Prabha.

The Minister with LTTE leaders participated in a special farmers meeting at Arshad Dewanayagham Hall, Batticaloa organised by Lakpohora. Thousands of farmers attended the meeting.

Prime Minister's Advisor and former Batticaloa district MP Ali Zaheer Moulana, Batticaloa district MP G. Krishnapillai and Batticaloa District Secretary R. Nonakurusami were also present.

After the farmers' meeting, Dissanayake inspected Karadiyan Aru, an LTTE-controlled area in Batticaloa district.

The minister inspected an LTTE farm and the Agriculture Department's Karadiyan Aru farm complex.

Following a request by the LTTE, the minister pledged to grant Rs. 12.6 million to develop the Karadiyan Aru Farm Complex which has nearly 500 acres.

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