In Parliament
Cinnamon export earnings on the increase
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
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
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
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
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
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
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
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
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
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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