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Cinnamon export earnings on the increase

The country has earned an income of Rs. 8,947 million from cinnamon exports in 2008 compared to the cinnamon exports income of Rs. 8,379 million in 2007, Chief Government whip and Urban Development and Sacred area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday.

Tabling the answer, the Minister said according to the steps taken by the Government to promote cinnamon related value added products, Sri Lanka has also recorded an income of Rs. 262 million and Rs. 158 million respectively from the export of cinnamon leaf oil and bark oil in 2008.

The Minister said the Government through the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) has taken a number of measures to expand the international market for value added products such as cinnamon bark oil, leaf oil, cinnamon powder, consumer packs, cut pieces of various lengths and organic cinnamon to establish the brand and upgrade the processing quality of cinnamon.

Ceylon Cinnamon Branding program under GI protection branding of Ceylon Cinnamon is one of the key activities that have been undertaken by the SLEDB. Under this, SLEBD holds the ownership of Ceylon Cinnamon Brand while taking appropriate measures to protect and promote ceylon cinnamon brand locally and globally.

EDB has also sponsored to establish a model cinnamon processing factory as per the GMP standards (Goods Manufacturing Standards) in Kosgoda to raise awareness on quality and global market requirements.

Further, the EDB has also taken steps to assist twenty producers who wish to upgrade their products to the GMP standards.

Meanwhile, a number of concessions have been granted by the Government to cinnamon exporters and other businessmen engaged in the cinnamon trade.

The “Dahas Diriya” reward scheme and IAMP (Integrated Agriculture Model project program) is being implemented to increase competitiveness in the international market.


Credit facilities for 5,940 dairy farmers

Livestock Development Minister C.B. Ratnayake told Parliament that through the special loan scheme (NLDL) introduced in the 2008 Budget to promote local milk production, credit facilities have been granted to 5,940 dairy farmers so far.

Under this loan scheme, Rs. 820.38 million has been granted to 3,288 dairy farmers in 2008 while Rs. 460.61 million worth loans have been issued to 2,652 dairy farmers upto June 30, this year.

This loan scheme was introduced in April 2008 to assist those who are engaged in the dairy industry to further develop their production.

At present this loan scheme has covered all districts including Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. During last year, this loan scheme has granted the highest number of credit facilities to dairy farmers in Colombo district which amounts to Rs. 318.97 million. The second highest amount of loans of Rs. 130.80 million have been given to dairy farmers in Batticaloa district, the minister said.


Special program to treat dengue patients

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday a total of 18,030 dengue patients have been identified since the beginning of 2009 up to July 17.

The Minister said 180 dengue patient have died during this period.

The Ministry has implemented a special program to treat the identified dengue patients. According to this program, the Government hospitals have given priority to treat the identified dengue patients. In comparison with the figures of last year, there is a significant increase of the dengue patients this year.

According to statistics, 4,035 dengue patients had been reported and 16 persons had died of dengue during the period from January to July 17 last year.

But 18,030 dengue patients have been identified and 180 persons have died of dengue during the same period of this year.

The Minister said steps have been taken to train doctors who are serving in the most dengue affected districts. Instructions have been given to conduct special blood tests on patients who are having fever less than three days. The Ministry has provided 23 medical equipment to major hospitals situated in the most dengue spreading districts to conduct blood tests. In addition, the National Dengue Prevention Unit daily monitor the details obtained from provincial level and educate hospitals in respective areas to take necessary action.


Religious centre Bill

Parliament yesterday approved the Ambuluwawa Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Jayaratne Religious Centre and Bio-Diversity Complex Trust Fund Bill to promote the religious development among Sri Lankans by securing and developing the Ambuluwawa Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Jayaratne Religious Centre and Bio-Diversity Complex in Gampola. Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne presenting the Bill said both religious and deity belonging to all religions can use this centre for their religious practices.

Meanwhile Religious Leaders of all faiths have expressed their satisfaction on the launching of this project.

The other objects of the Bill is to improve the area around the Ambuluwawa mountain range while promoting peace, goodwill, understanding and co-operation among community.

It will also promote and encourage inter-religious harmony and social integration.

The Bill aims at improving the living conditions of persons who are economically and socially disadvantaged including improvements to their shelters and the provision of other infrastructure facilities.


Measures to develop tourism

Tourism Minister Nandana Gunathilaka told Parliament yesterday that a key program will be implemented shortly in collaboration with the State and private sector to promote the local tourism industry.

The proposals to develop the infrastructure facilities to promote the tourism sector will be submitted by the next Budget, he said.

Both local and foreign tourists were unable to visit the entire country due to terrorist problem which existed within the country over the past three decades. At present, the Government has completely changed this situation by eradicating terrorism. This has opened avenues to develop the tourism industry as planned, he said.

The Minister said plans will be drawn up to attract more tourists from Asian countries.

“It is expected that the number of local tourists who visit key places such as Nallur Kovil, Madhu Church, Sripada and Kataragama would record a rapid increase due to the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

“At present, the environment has been created to visit any parts of the country because of the moves taken by the Government to put an end to terrorism,” the Minister said.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by the UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

 

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