'Help promote our investment potential'

Prime Minister to regional Business Chambers:

Rasika Somarathna

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told a visiting delegate from Asia\Pacific Business Chambers to help propagate the country's economy by making international investors aware about the lucrative investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Elaborating on the Government's development agenda, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to up the tempo with the help of both local and foreign investors, specially in the newly liberated areas of North and East.

The Premier also urged the delegates to carry forward their experience to the international arena with regard to the Government's efforts in the newly liberated areas in the North and East which were under the LTTE tyranny.

The Prime Minister made these comments addressing a high level eight member delegation from Asia\Pacific Business Chambers touring Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission.

According to sources the team which met Prime Minister Wickramanayaka at his office recently, is in the process of making a thorough assessment on the Government's development efforts on a number of spheres.

The team includes members from India, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Premier also laid special emphasis on the Governments's effort in the East to develop the area and usher in a vibrant civil administration through the election process.

He also stressed about efforts that would be carried on to the North in the near future and praised India's contribution to the Government's development efforts.

The Prime Minister emphasised that Sri Lanka has the resilience to rise from any major disaster pointing to the tsunami devastation as a prime example. Delegation Chairman Hanchi Chan said their pre-conceived scenario regarding Sri Lanka prior to the tour had evaporated with the experience they had here.

He also praised the Government for their efforts in establishing a conducive environment for investors while assuring Prime Minister Wickramanayaka that they would take steps to portray the correct picture as soon as they return to their countries.