Airport, seaport catalysts for development of South - Minister Jayasuriya

Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama Special corr

TISSAMAHARAMA: Nature has endowed Hambantota district with natural resources that remain untapped. The Government under the Mahinda Chinthana concept has adopted measures to tap these resources for the benefit of the people, said Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Karu Jayasuriya.

He was addressing a meeting that followed the opening of the Ruhunu Navodaya 2007 Entrepreneur Development Services Education and Fair at Hambantota Urban Council grounds.

This was the second day of the exhibition held from July 27 to 29. The objectives of the Exhibition and Fair are to enhance the entrepreneur development services for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs and service providers, to introduce information on the new technologies and business markets and to enable the entrepreneurs of the district to share views and ideas with the large-scale entrepreneurs at national level.

The Minister said the International Sea Port at Hambantota and the International Airport at Weerawila which are considered catalysts for development of the district and the adjoining districts will dawn a new era to the entire country.

The large-scale infrastructure development in the district will also pave the way for development.

He said Hambantota district is important in several spheres. It is also an important district because President Mahinda Rajapaksa has his roots here.

Hambantota district received stepmotherly treatment from previous regimes. It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who focused special attention on the development of the district by releasing necessary funds.

The Minister said the Thoppigala area, a stronghold of the LTTE, was liberated by the heroic Security Forces under the guidance and leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said there are countries around the world, that are bigger than Sri Lanka. They are self-sufficient because they produce all their requirements.

Sri Lanka depends on imports of all requirements. We do not concentrate on producing even the consumer items although we have enough resources. We as a country spend more than what we earn. Even India and China produce all their requirements. They are self-sufficient and contended. Home Affairs Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Public Administration and Home Affairs

Ministry Secretary D. Dissanayake, Hambantota District Secretary R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla, REAP Project Director Gamini Kularatna, REAP District Director P.S. Gajanayaka, Director General Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce Asmi Thassim and President HDCC Samson Abeykone were present.