Embilipitiya Paper mill recommissioned

Jayasiri Munasinghe and Hambantota District group correspondent

The present Government is fully committed to protect the local industries and develop them, but no state enterprise would be privatised. The Embilipitiya National Paper mill which is re commissioned today is a national asset, said Basil Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at the re-opening of the Embilipitiya paper factory after six years.

Rajapaksa said, the opening of the factory which remained closed for six year was a challenge which President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted. This Government does not run away from criticism. When we came to power, a part of the country was under the LTTE jackboot. Eight districts out of a total of 25 were under LTTE control.

The President's first priority was the recovering of the lost territory. The role played by our gallant forces in protection of the territorial integrity of our country is commendable. We have launched a massive programme to protect and promote local industries. Due to economic policies implemented after 1977 we lost all that were ours! Everything had to be imported. Today we have become dependent on others. Years ago we had our salterns at Hambantota, Puttalam and Elephant Pass. Today we are importing ten containers of salt a week.

Our textile factories at Veyangoda, Thulhiriya, Minneriya were ruined. Today, we have reopened Thulhiriya after a lapse of years, he said.

Ingation Minister Jayatissa Ranawira and former JHU MP, Dr. Omalpe Sobitha thera also spoke.

Nation Building Ministers S. M. Chandrasena and Jagath Pushpakumara, Sabaragamuwa provincial councillor, Ravindra Ranavira, National Building Ministry Secretary, W. K. K. Kumaraisnghe and SEMA Chairman, Willie Gamage, Embilipitiya Paper Factory Co. Chairman, S. Marasinghe also participated.