Garment factory opens in Hambantota

Project highlights Sri Lanka-France cooperation:

Sanath GAMAGE- Lunama Group Correspondent

Tourist arrivals and investment opportunity creation have helped strengthen mutual friendship and relations between Sri Lanka and France, said External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris at the opening of the Rangiri Garment Factory at Rangiri Village, Mirijjawila, Hambantota recently.

Earlier Minister Prof Peiris and Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa jointly opened the new factory set up under the direction of Secours Populaie Francais Organization of France. A batch of 100 youth will gain employment at this factory during its first stage.

Prof Peiris said his Ministry will improve Sri Lanka's diplomatic relations by appointing competent and efficient ambassadors to vital foreign stations.

Accordingly, Dr Dayan Jayatilleke will be appointed as Sri Lanka's Ambassador in France shortly.

Sri Lanka has experienced large tourist arrivals from France which has forged trade links with our country. Trade between Sri Lanka and France has been improving remarkably and Sri Lanka in turn has opened investment avenues to French investors.

He said the youth living in the nearby Tsunami housing scheme will be able to find employment avenues in the new factory.

European countries had placed immense trust in Sri Lanka which has recorded accelerated development in the economic and other fields. Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa said a leading industrial city will be set up in Hambantota shortly.

He said land has been allocated for the proposed Commonwealth Games City in Hambantota. The Government objective is to start giant development schemes throughout the country to find employment for the youth.

Presidential Co-ordinating Secretary and Lake House Operations Director Upul Dissanayake said this new factory given by the French delegation would help solve the unemployment problem in the region to a certain extent.

The visiting French delegation will experience the peaceful situation and the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and take back memories which will help dispel negative opinions and views held by certain sections in France and other European countries.

Hambantota District Secretary R M C Meegasmulla and Chairman Secours Populaie Francais Laupretre Julien were among those present.

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