Wide-ranging growth in economy

Nadira Gunatilleke

REPORT: The communication sub sector has recorded continuous high growth and it was 24.2 per cent for the third quarter of 2006. Mobile phone usage increased by 54.4 per cent and fixed access - wireless local loop category grew by 47.6 per cent during the same quarter. Dialog Telekom indicated a 20 per cent increase in profit for nine months of the year.

These statistics were released by the Department of Census and Statistics at the Information Department in Colombo on Tuesday. According to these statistics, the transport and communication sector recorded 10.1 per cent growth rate compared to 8.6 per cent growth rate recorded in the same quarter of 2005.

This growth was largely contributed by the performance in the telecommunication and cargo handling, ports and civil aviation sub sectors. Cargo handling (ports and civil aviation) increased by 12.5 per cent in comparison to a growth of 38.2 per cent in the respective quarter of 2005.

During this period Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) including South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) handled 842,940 containers Thirty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and it indicates a 30.7 per cent increase for the reference period.

Passenger kilometre flown by SriLankan Airlines and income has increased by 0.6 and 7.1 per cent respectively during this quarter.

Under the `Maga Neguma' road development project, roads are constructed in selected remote areas in the country which do not have proper access to the villages.

These constructions are still in progress. `Jana Sevana' housing programme implemented under `Mahinda Chinthanaya' has constructed houses which benefited over 1189 families covering work up to September 2006 at a cost of Rs. 79 million. The programme has commenced in January 2006 to benefit 8500 low income families.

The reconstruction of destructed harbours by tsunami was completed by the Chinese Government. The reconstructed harbours are Galle, Hikkaduwa, Devinuwara, Kudawella, Negombo, Panadura and Beruwala and the Government has spent one billion rupees for this reconstruction.