Gaining momentum for future:

Country witnesses FDI influx

Raja WAIDYASEKERA-Tissamaharama special corr.

There is an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.

The minister said so addressing a press conference attended by journalists in the Hambantota district recently.

The minister said former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill requested the citizens of his country not to ask anything from the government except tears and sweat because a war was being waged. "In our country this did not happen although a war was waged against the LTTE.

Development activities, provision of facilities to the people continued".

The country possesses a consignment of consumer items sufficient for six months, he said.

The President built bridges of friendship with foreign countries. As a result aid flowed to the country for development activities and for the humanitarian war, he said.

Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said when he assumed duties as the Water Supply Minister the water supply in the Hambantota district was 22 percent. It has increased to 70 percent today.

He said Rs. 101,000,000 was spent for the Tangalle water supply project while Rs. 2,700 million is being spent for the Hambantota water supply and Rs. 17,000 million will be spent for the Ruhunupura water supply project.

Port and Civil Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said the Weheragala reservoir project converted the dry zone into a wet zone.

The Uma oya Reservoir Project Construction work will be implemented soon.