With prevailing peaceful situation:

North inherited potential to bloom

The situation prevailing in the country after the eradication of terrorism enables the inherent potential of the Northern Province to be fully realised for the benefit of all inhabitants, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said in Jaffna recently.

The government’s plans for the development of the area involves emphasis on four major areas of economic activity - agriculture, fisheries, small and medium sector industries and the service sector, he added.

He was addressing a gathering of farmers, entrepreneurs and community leaders at the district secretariat in Jaffna.

He had earlier distributed equipment at the fruit based products factory at Uduvil, Chunnakam, for the upgrading of these products to achieve ISO requirements and secure access to international markets.

A cold room, laboratory equipment and packaging material were distributed as part of the program of the Export Development Board in connection with the expansion of agriculture promotion villages.

Prof. Peiris said Hector Kobbekaduwa, when he contested with J. R. Jayewardene at the Presidential Election in 1983, secured substantial support in the Jaffna area. This was attributed to the high levels of income earned by the farming community in Jaffna prior to the outbreak of terrorism, from chilies, onion and potato cultivation, he recalled.

Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industry President K. Poonachandran, expressed enthusiasm about using the positive environment in the country for the achievement of rapid economic progress.

Former Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Prof. P. Balasundaram Pillai made a detailed presentation to Prof. Peiris about the priority needs of the Jaffna district.

Prof. Peiris said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sacrificed two years of the first term to enable voters of the Northern Province who were deprived by the LTTE of the opportunity of using their franchise in November 2005, to participate in the national mandate. He has sought for economic development and reconstruction.

All plans which had been drawn up in the past in relation to the political process had failed because of the lack of a national consensus for the implementation, he said. The country now has the advantage of a leader who has the capability to deliver, and this opportunity should not be missed, he said.

The Tamil community has a great deal to lose on account of initiatives, direct and indirect in various quarters to undermine durable peace in pursuit of partisan political gains, he said.

Social Service and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda joined Prof. Peiris in the distribution of equipment for upgrading of agriculture.