Deyata Kirula, a catalyst for development

Dharma Sri Abeyratne at the Deyata Kirula premises in Ampara

* Many sectors upgraded

* Ampara now enjoying peace

Deyata Kirula is not merely an exhibition or display, but an occasion that brings massive overall development to rural areas of the country as part of the national development drive, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the opening ceremony of the 7th Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition at Ampara Hardy Higher Technology Institute on Saturday.

The President said the government has taken measures to develop the country by developing the village.

“In line with the Mahinda Chinthana policy statement of the government, special attention has been paid to develop the country, allocating around Rs 60,000 million annually from the budget. The Deyata Kirula exhibition is being held annually to bring rapid development to the country,” he said. The President said all should experience development.

“That is why it was brought to Ampara bringing all communities together,” he said noting that not only Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, but other communities such as the Adi Vasis also live in the region in a friendly manner.

The exhibition gives an idea of development to the children to accept the responsibility of the future since there is no peace without development and no development without peace, the President said. Apart from infrastructure development that comes with Deyata Kirula , all other sectors including health, education, transportation, farming, living standards and many more are developed parallel to the exhibition, he said. President Rajapaksa said Ampara was also badly affected by terrorism, which brought disaster to the entire country.

“Owing to this, the development of the country was lagging for decades until the country was liberated through the humanitarian mission. Not only the bhikkus at Aranthalawa but also Muslim devotees who were praying, were brutally killed by terrorists. Today, all are experiencing and enjoying the peace dividend,” he said.

The President said as a direct outcome of peace, paddy harvests have increased significantly.

“No misery or frustration occupy the people’s minds. No schoolchildren are kidnapped by terrorists to train as child soldiers,” President Rajapaksa said. Deyata Kirula Exhibition Committee chairman Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the Deyata Kirula exhibition premises spans about 120 acres this year. About 400 exhibition stalls maintained by state and private sectors showcase their products and services.

Fifty three ministries, the three Armed Forces and the Police have stalls at the exhibition. It showcases products and services of government, private and international organisations, and displays the past development activities of the country as well as future development projects.

“The Deyata Kirula exhibition is being held in rural areas to develop these areas. The exhibition brings massive infrastructure development, especially roads and public facilities to the area slated to hold the Deyata Kirula exhibition,” Minister Siyambalapitiya said. President Rajapaksa opened the 2013 Seventh Deyata Kirula 2013 national exhibition at Ampara Hardy Higher Technology Institution on Saturday evening. The exhibition is open to the public until March 29.

At the second day of the exhibition, stalls received thousands of visitors from various parts of the country.

The Media Zone of the exhibition premises was crowded. All print and electronic media institutions are represented at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition.

The pubic has the opportunity to visit over 200 stalls at the exhibition grounds, showcasing progress by government departments, corporations and private sector organisations. The exhibition covers an area in extent of 200 acres with all facilities provided for those visiting and working in the exhibition grounds. There are about 400 exhibition stalls maintained by the state and private sector.

Fifty three ministries have opened exhibition stalls. The stalls organised by the three Armed Forces and the Police attract large crowds. The admission to the exhibition premises is through the purchase of development lottery tickets. The Development Lotteries Board has established 50 counters.