'Govt engaged in massive Northern development task'

Nethali STRUYS

"The government is involving in the tremendous task of development in the war devastated North. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is in charge of the Uthuru Vasanthaya, which is meticulously designed, said Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda.

He said so at a ceremony held at the opening of a coir-based factory at Women's Development Centre in Chavakachcheri recently.

The minister said that under the guidance of the National Design Centre, the traditional coir industry will be qualitatively improved to venture into the foreign market. Soon, everyone will be able to witness a well developed Northern Sri Lanka, added the minister.

Industrial Development Board General Manager Jasmine Mannapperuma speaking on the occasion thanked the minister for taking necessary steps to develop the factory.

She pointed out that out of the 8,000 acres of coconut lands in the Jaffna Peninsula, 2,000 acres are in Chavakachcheri which means there will be a continuous supply of raw material for the factory.

She pointed out that another coir factory has been set up in the Allare area at a cost of Rs. 5 million and the machinery installed in it are better than those in Indian factories.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said that arrangements have been made to include the Jaffna province in the ongoing series of exhibitions under the Divi Neguma Domestic Industrial Technology Exhibition on one million domestic economic units programme.