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| Tuesday, 9 March 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| PM promises special agri-zones in selected areas by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Saturday, disclosed plans to establish special agricultural zones in selected areas for producing agro-products exclusively catering to the export market. Addressing a series of election rallies in Bibile and Embilipitiya, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said vegetables, fruits and flowers could be cultivated in those zones for export to Japan, Middle-East and Europe. "We will provide assistance and technical know-how to farmers to further improve their produce," the Prime Minister said. "We have to think afresh to develop these areas and make them a part of the country's rapid development process," he added. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said arrangements will be made to export those agricultural items via the proposed airport at Kuda Oya. "This will enable farmers in these areas to obtain higher prices for their produce, which will certainly help increase the income level of the people living in these areas. We can export fisheries products as well," he said. He also stressed the necessity of undertaking a massive infrastructure development project in the South-East to ensure rapid economic growth for neglected areas like Batticaloa, Digamadulla, Badulla, Matara, Embilipitiya, Moneragala and Wellawaya. "We have already decided to build this second airport in Kuda Oya, Wellawaya and it will create a new gateway for these areas to have access to the world," he said. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said a new road network will also be constructed connecting areas such as Mahiyanganaya, Batticaloa, Ampara, Bandarawela and Kalmunai which will help ensure rapid development in those areas. "With these infrastructure projects, we will be able to improve the tourism sector to a great extent while upgrading other sectors such as industries and agriculture, creating large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities." The Prime Minister recalled how the farmers faced great difficulties during the previous PA regime. "Farmers were facing a crisis and the rural economy had almost collapsed. The whole economy in the country was in the doldrums. That is why I am thinking in a fresh manner deviating from the traditional way," he added. Stressing the importance of continuing the peace process, Premier Wickremesinghe said only the UNF could bring peace and economic prosperity. |
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