Eastern highway precursor to harmony, prosperity - President

Rohan Mathes

THANAMALWILA: The construction of the Matara-Karaitivu express highway will not only bring-in economic prosperity but will also enhance racial harmony among the peoples of the Southern, Uva and Eastern regions to achieve sustainable and permanent peace in our land, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted in Thanamalvila yesterday.

Addressing the inauguration of the proposed Rs.7 billion, 305 km Matara-Karaitivu mega road network undertaken by the Road Development Authority (RDA), under the Eastern Highways Development programme, the President noted that the highway linking Matara, Wirawila, Wellawaya, Siyabalanduwa, Amparai and Karaitivu, will undoubtedly open up opportunities for cooperation and coordination in trade, establish better political, social and cultural relationships which will eventually bring peace and harmony among the diverse ethnic and religious communities of the regions.

"The condition and level of a country's road network reflects its economic prosperity. For rapid development of the country we have decided to develop our road network, in conformity with the 'Mahinda Chintanaya'.

The country's economic prosperity should not be confined to the Western Province. The rural regions too should reap its benefits. It is the onus of the Government to provide the necessary infrastructure at village level, so that rural industries and its production flourish.

A developed road network is of paramount importance for this. We have identified the least developed and poverty-stricken regions of the country, which need rapid development," Rajapakse opined.

The construction of the proposed International airport at Wirawila, the harbour at Hambantota will offer tremendous opportunities in many spheres, including tourism, and help to uplift livelihoods and alleviate poverty in the most under-developed parts of the country.

He said that while taking steps to suppress and wipe out terrorism in all its forms, the Government will also strive to develop the entire country, whether its Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Hambantota, Colombo, Galle or Matara.

He thanked the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, the European Commission and other organisations for their unstinted financial support to make this venture a reality.

He fervently appealed to all political parties to unite under one banner sans seeking narrow political gains, at this hour of crisis.

President Rajapaksa reminisced that the Government had taken cognisance of the rising cost of living and thanked the people for their tolerance in this regard.

"However, we will take all precautions and use all means at our disposal to ease this burden soon," he added.

Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Deputy Highways Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara and Heads of the funding institutions, the World Bank, ADB, EC also addressed the inauguration ceremony.