Project to develop Cottage Industries

V. P. Sivapragasam, Group Corr. Akkaraipattu

Under the Rural Economic Development and Rural Industries Self Employment Promotion Schemes, a program to develop cottage industries in the Ampara district has been proposed with the active participation of women.

The proposal mooted by the organisation called “Reawakening East”, has had discussions with Minister Cegu Issadeen, who has promised all help and co-operation to help those in need. The first project is to be started in Pottuvil in the East Coast of Ampara.

A meeting under the chairmanship of A. M. Jabbar was held at Pottuvil where the participants attended and urged that the project be started very early.

The august body of “Reawakening East” told the ‘Daily News’ that Pottuvil having all three communities living peacefully was the most ideal location to start the project where there was the advantages of availability of raw materials, labour expert knowledge and facilities for market.

The presence of foreign tourists was another advantage to sell the produce.

The plan includes the establishment of a ‘Productive Village’ and the details of the project will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for the 24th. The promoters of the project has told Cegu Issadeen that the East could emerge out of its miseries with the implementation of the project which is estimated to cost around Rs. 500 Million.