Twenty sugar factories coming up

Ridma Dissanayake

Sugar Industries Development Minister Lakshman Seneviratne distributing land deeds among families in Kandaketiya

All arrangements are in place to establish 20 new sugar factories in Sri Lanka within the next two years. The government decided to allocate 135,000 hectares for sugar cane plantation, Sugar Industries Development Minister Lakshman Seneviratne said.

"Persons who are not aware about the importance of the Sugar Industries Development Ministry are saying various things. President Mahinda Rajapaksa created several new portfolios during the recent Cabinet reshuffle according to the country's requirement," he said.

Addressing a ceremony at Kandaketiya Divisional Secretariat Office, Minister Seneviratne said arrangements are in place to make Sri Lanka self - sufficient in sugar within the next several years.

The minister also distributed land deeds among 220 families in Kandaketiya.

"The coconut tree is called 'the tree of life'. Sugar cane is also similar as it provides a harvest for five years after cultivation. People unaware of its value, are criticising for the sake of criticising," the minister said.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) always criticises the government's work thinking they are political experts. They will never get the opportunity to rule the country, he said.

The minister said the JVP is not aware of the huge amount spent by the government to import sugar.

"The amount is higher than what is spent to import petroleum products. The government spends Rs 550 million to import sugar. The Sugar Industry Development Ministry was setup to save money for the country," he said.