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National Development Trust Fund immediate need

Small and medium entrepreneurs in the tsunami affected areas will immensely benefit by the setting up of the National Development Trust Fund , the immediate past President of the Ceylon National Chamber of Commerce, Ranjith Hettiarachchi said.

He said especially the small scale businessmen in the tsunami affected areas are still struggling to get back to normalcy due to the lack of money and places for doing their businesses.

"We have brought this issue to the attention of the Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera and he responded positively and said that the Government is planning to set up the body soon," Hettiarachchi said.

He also said in most affected areas consumers face difficulties due to non-operation of retail businesses and providing them with temporary buildings for retail business in these areas is an urgent need.

"There are industrialists who have lost everything. They cannot go back to their own businesses. Therefore the setting up of temporary buildings for them to start businesses will help bringing life back to normal for them and the consumers," Hettiarachchi said.

He said members of his chamber had met several small scale businessmen in the affected areas and they have expressed the view that what they immediately need is to be occupied with whatever business until the reconstruction process begin.

"Psychologically, it is very important that these people are occupied with some important activity. Otherwise it could lead to worse social problems in the medium and long term," Hettiarachchi said.

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