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.

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.