Ministries’ support needed to boost domestic economy

Disna Mudalige

The support of all ministries is necessary for the success of the one million domestic economic units program initiated by the Government to improve the domestic economy of the people, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

He expressed these views at a special meeting at the Parliamentary complex last Friday.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa

“This program should also be promoted in the same manner in which the Gamaneguma was taken to villages to develop rural areas with the contribution of all stakeholders. It should be a long-term and stable program,” the Minister said.

Minister Rajapaksa directed the authorities to prepare brochures to be distributed among the selected families to carry out this program.

The guidance to select the preferred industry by themselves and the information of the training centres will be available in these brochures.

The selected families would be allowed to engage in a preferred industry. They will be provided with scientific and technological knowledge and guidance by the Ministry. The Minister noted that the local and international market to sell their products should be created.

He also directed the Export Development Board to look into possible local products for exportation, while arranging the market for further exportations. The Minister also observed that domestic economic units program would not intervene or affect other programs being implemented by various Ministries.

Minister Rajapaksa noted that loans and aid required for this program could be facilitated through Samurdhi Banks. Training, technology and knowledge could be transferred to the people through Samurdhi officers, Grama Niladari officers, family health service officers and agrarian officers.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda and Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena, Coconut Development and State Plantations Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, Small Export Crops Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivad Cabraal and Ministry officials including Ministry Secretaries participated in this meeting.