Common service centres to uplift rural economy

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda opened three common service centres in the Hambantota district recently.

They are the Muthiammagama village for leather based products in the Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat Division, centre for coir based products at Kosgoda Village in the Beliatta Divisional Secretariat Division and a centre for furniture products at Obadagahadeniya Village in the Katuwana Divisioal Secretariat Division.

Rekiya Bihidora programme was launched by the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry to uplift rural industries and production villages.

Among those who participated were Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa MP.

The Muthiammagama Common Service Centre for leather based products and Obbadagahadeniya Common Service Centre for Furniture products have been constructed at Rs 5 million each and the Muthiammagama leather based Industrial Common Centre at Rs 6 million.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa participated in the opening ceremony held at the Common Service Centre.

Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy speaking at the occasion said that rural industrialists would get the opportunity to contribute towards enhancing the national gross domestic production of the country which would pave the way for realizing the targets set in the Mahinda Chintana to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia.

He said that the Rekiya Bihidora programme would provide the opportunity for a large number of unemployed youths to train themselves in self-employment ventures.

The ministry secretary said that the Common Service Centres would be vested with the public and villagers could establish a cooperative society to run the affairs of the centres.

He added that the Industrial Development Board operating under the purview of his ministry would prepare a programme to help run these centres efficiently.