Special attention to Northern development - Minister Devananda
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister Basil
Rajapaksa are making a concerted effort towards the development of war
battered Northern and Eastern Provinces and a colossal budgetary
allocation has been made towards this purpose, Traditional Industries
and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda said.
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Minister
Douglas Devananda |
Minister Devananda was chairing a Parliamentary discussion at the
Mullaitivu District Secretariat on June 22 concerning the activities of
the 'Divi Neguma Industrial Exhibition'.
The Divi Neguma Industrial Exhibition will be held on July 28 and 29,
at Vidyananda College, Mullaitivu. The minister said people should get
the maximum benefits from the Divi Neguma national programme. It will
bring meaningful and maximum development to the Mullaitivu District,
badly affected by terrorism.
The minister requested state officials to show responsibility when
organizing the upcoming industrial exhibition, as the President and
Minister Basil Rajapaksa expected it of them. He said at last 9,000
families from the Mullaitivu District will be provided an opportunity to
start self-employment ventures.
"The government strengthens the hands of the talented and they should
make maximum use of this opportunity to progress in life. The Divi
Neguma Industrial Exhibition will provide a range of self-employment
opportunities, such as, fruit and vegetable cultivation, fisheries and
livestock development and commencing small industries.
The government will also provide finance, training and equipment to
people to start their chosen ventures. All state employees from the
Grama Niladhari to the Ministry Secretary will play an active role in
this process, "the minister said. Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy
presenting a detailed report on the Divi Neguma programme said
institutions under the purview of his ministry, namely, Palmyrah
Development Board, North Sea Limited, National Crafts Council,
Industrial Development Board and National Design Centre, had a major
role to play in making the Divi Neguma programme, a success. He said due
to the hard work put in by all, it had been possible to hold 18 Divi
Neguma exhibitions island-wide with a satisfactory outcome.
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Divi
neguma programme director Gamage also spoke. Mullaitivu District
Government Agent Mr. Vethanayagam, Security Forces personnel and
government officials participated.
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