Kitul products project inaugurated

COLOMBO: Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama praised late Dr. N. M. Perera's efforts to develop the local kithul and sugar industries when he inaugurated a 'Kithul Products Project' at the Hataraliayadda Divisional Secretariat recently.

Dr. Amunugama said certain sections of the media ridiculed late Dr. N. M. Perera when he tried to bring in legislation to support and develop the local kitul and sugar industries. But in actual fact he felt Dr. Perera's philosophy was correct as it helped the country to save vital foreign exchange spent on sugar imports.

Dr. Amunugama said the Hataraliyadda Kithul Project became a reality because he was able to clear all legal impediments for toddy tapping by getting Cabinet approval for it. He said Hataraliyadda was a region which could be developed economically due to its plentiful natural resources. Only a systematic plan and a dedicated effort were needed to realise that goal.

Dr. Amunugama said the rubber industry was experiencing a boom period today with sheet rubber fetching nearly Rs. 220 per kilo. This was good news for Prof. Tissa Vitharana's area of Thun Korale in particular as it was a leading rubber growing area in the country.

Dr. Amunugama observed that a large amount of the country's foreign exchange earnings were drained off for oil and sugar imports today. This curtailed development activities in the country resulting in an increase in the cost of living. The government as a responsible government had to cure this problem.

The first remedy is to produce whatever we can locally to reduce imports. One thing we can produce locally is sugar. Today we produce only 20 per cent of our sugar requirements. The balance 80 percent is imported. Another possibility is for us to curtail sugar consumption by encouraging people to use kithul jaggery as an alternative.

The government is taking steps to increase sugar cane cultivation in the Moneragala, Kantalai and Ampara areas in an effort to increase local sugar production to at least 50 per cent of our total requirements.