'More opportunities to expand Lanka UK trade'

"Many opportunities are available in Sri Lanka in trade and investment for British business community.

Time has come for Sri Lanka and United Kingdom to build a strong economic relationship. Once the United Kingdom was the Sri Lanka biggest trading partner," said Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Adviser to the President and Minister of Economic Development at a meeting with visiting British parliamentarian.

A delegation of UK parliamentarians representing the Conservative party and one member from the Democratic Unionist party met Minister last week.

The coordinator of the team was James Wharton.

MP who has visited Sri Lanka previously and takes an active interest in Sri Lankan issues.

The delegation included MPs of Conservative Mark Menzies, Andrew Stephenson, Aiden Burley, Connor Burns, Mathew Offord, David Morris, Bob Blackman and Ian Paisley, a member of the Democratic Unionist party.

Minister said he had several meetings with British business community already operating in Sri Lanka and they have expressed their intention of expanding their existing ventures and bringing new investment.

"There are British companies doing well in the fields of pharmaceutical, construction and industrial. More opportunities are available in the infrastructure development, IT development, construction, education and production sectors. Many British Universities are seeking to open their offices and market their courses in Sri Lanka," he said.

Responding to an enquiry by British delegation Minister said energy development is a key area in the Sri Lanka's present development strategy. "Still interested parties can invest in oil exploration activities and renewable energy development projects and he invited British investors to join in the oil exploration activities."

When the delegation expressed their interest to get information on North - East rehabilitation and reconstruction Minister said, Sri Lanka has carried out an intensified rehabilitation Programme for former LTTE carders. "About 17000 youths were rehabilitated.

They were provided with vocational training and higher education facilities including University degree programmes.

When they integrated to society they were provided with equipment, facilities for self employment or jobs according to their requirements. Only about 800 youth are remaining in the rehabilitation camps and they will be integrated to society within next few months."

Responding to a question posed by the British delegation minister said, "North - Eastern provinces were affected by the war.

The government has given priority to the infrastructure development in order to facilitate the development of the production and services sectors.

Connectivity is very important and government was able to connect all the country from city to village level by constructing road, highways, bridges and village level roads.

Power, telecommunication, electricity are some of the other infrastructure facilities developed by the government.

The delegation suggested having business community meeting in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom and Minister agreed to provide all facilities for such meetings.

Dr. Chris Nonis, Sri Lanka High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara, Director General, Communication and Development, Bashwara Senanka Gunaratna, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and S.B. Divaratne, Secretary of the Presidential Task Force for Resettlement also participated at this meeting.