The Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena mentioned that the right to land should be allowed in spite of its ownership while indicating Trincomalee as the gateway to the future development of Asia.
Addressing the Trincomalee district program of ‘New Village – New Country’ National Integration Participatory Development Program held at Trincomalee district Secretariat on Saturday (05), the Premier said Trincomalee is the closest place to look at the countries beyond the Bay of Bengal.
He said it is very important to prepare a district development plan involving all the divisional secretaries to convert the future industries that can be created by utilizing the port into the development of the people of the area.
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said:
Now the new harvest is coming to the market. Suggestions were put forward to make it more efficient for our institutes to enter into competition and purchase by declaring a better price. It is certain that the issues of obtaining the necessary financial provisions can be resolved by the President. A number of issues related to farmers were eased in order to allow them to produce food ten months ago.
The international community is ready to support us while we are in a position to rise again through this challenge. The President was able to remove the withhold of many projects. It is informed to restart those projects. A prearrangement is required from GA to divisional secretaries in order to support it. These projects are related to food security projects.
Loans as well as seeds are given to farmers with the objective of increasing harvest. The Government make arrangements to buy the harvest. But all the records show that 38% of the harvest is wasted. After investments, hard work, and borrowings the harvest is wasted without being able to bring it to the city or the market. That is another serious problem in our country. It should be rectified gradually and expeditiously. This supply chain and network should be interconnected and move properly. Then the farmer as well as the consumer can be assured of food safety. Divisional Secretaries should pay special attention to this matter.
The President took a decision to temporarily cultivate unused lands. We are the owners of a land that bears fruits sixty to ninety days. If the crops get water on time whatever you plant will bear fruit. That is why we are repeatedly advising the government mechanism to support the interest in cultivating different crops.
Regardless of land rights, the government’s decision to allow the rural farmers who are interested in cultivation of land should be successfully implemented.
In 1957 when my father, Mr. Philip Gunawardena was the Minister of Agriculture, he started the Kantale Sugar Factory with the help of Czechoslovakia. We must go back to the heart of the national economy.
Trincomalee is the gateway through which Sri Lanka can bequeath the future development of Asia.
Trincomalee is the closest place to look at the countries beyond the Bay of Bengal. Accordingly, you should be determined to take part in preparing the development plan. It is very important to prepare a district development plan involving all the divisional secretaries to convert the future industries that can be created by utilizing the port into the development of the people of the area.
It’s ready to set up a program to develop special industries, agriculture and fishing industries in the Eastern coast and projects for export.”
The Premier also engaged in a friendly conversation with farmers in Kawantissagama in Trincomalee during his visit to Eastern Province to attend ‘Aluth Ratak – Aluth Gamak’ District Development Programme during the weekend.
Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman, State Ministers Ashoka Priyantha, Janaka Wakkumbura, Members of Parliament Kapila Athukorala, A.L.M. Ataullah, M.S. Taufik, Yadamini Gunawardena, Adviser of the President Dr. Suren Batagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Administration Ranjith Ashoka, District Secretary of Trincomalee and other government officials and organization representatives participated.