Govt’s development drive:

Emphasis on agriculture - minister

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA and Priyanka KURUGALA

The government will successfully continue the development process of the country, under the leadership of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, paying special attention to the agriculture sector, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Participating in yesterday’s ceremony in Peliyagoda to mark the occasion of exporting a shipment of 10,000 metric tons of maize, Minister Rajapaksa emphasized that the government always tries to give the maximum price for agriculture products to protect local farmers.

“We have succeeded in adding maize to the list of Sri Lankan export products with the support of farmers, private sector companies, such as, Wayamba Trading and government banks like the Bank of Ceylon and the Agriculture Ministry etc.” the minister said.

He also said that five years ago the government imported around 146,000metric tons of maize spending valuable foreign exchange. “But today we are exporting maize. It is important to stop all importations of maize seeds also in order to make Sri Lanka a country which is self sufficient in maize. Some companies and farmers have already taken measures to produce maize seeds locally,” the minister said.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said at the end of year 2004 the government had to make a huge effort to find quality maize for Thriposha.Because of that the government appointed a cabinet sub committee to look into this matter.

A Special task Force was also established under the leadership of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa with the objective of

enhancing maize production.As a result of all these measures the country could achieve this success.

Agrarian Services and Wild Life Minister S.M.Chandrasena, Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervin Silva, Vayamba Traders Managing Director Shaul Hameed Sadikeen, Ministry Officials, farmers and other officials participated.