Batticaloa has not achieved the expected development, even after the war
Hon.Sujeewa Senasinhe the State Minister of International Trade stated that Batticaloa with its ideal geographical location and natural resources has not achieved any significant development in the past decades.
Hon.S. Senasinghe stated these views in the keynote speech at the investment and export encouragement summit held at the auditorium of the Divisional Secretariat, Batticaloe on the 26th of September.
This summit was organized with the collaboration of the Ministry of Developmental Strategies and International Trade and the District Secretariat of Batticaloa.
Further addressing the gathering Hon. Minister said, “The people who suffered from for three decades of the war in this region expected a major development, after the end of the war. But unfortunately their expectation cannot be fulfilled”. The State Minister said that the aim of his Ministry is to focus and make rapid development of the region.
The Summit was focused on improvement of Fisheries and Marine farms and also bringing new investments into the sectors such as agriculture, farming, tourism and higher education.
A total number of 27 new investment project proposals were submitted for the Batticoloa area and couldn’t implemented due to various problems .Some of the bottle necks were solved at the summit.
By identifying the future global needs, the summit is to encourage more exports of Sri Lnkan products aiming at the overseas markets .The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka will facilitate the project proposals on fast track basis. The Government’s goal is to position and brand Sri Lankan products in fast growing markets in the Asian region. Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe further stated that his Ministry will always provide with necessary assistance and the support to produce high quality Sri Lankan products for the export market.
Hon.Nasir Ahmed Eastern province Chief Minister, Hon. G. Srinasan, Hon.K. Thureirajasingm and Hon.S. Yogeshwaran members of parliament , Mrs. P. S. M. Charles Government agent of Batticaloa, Mr. P. M. Anura de Silva Secretary of the State Ministry of International Trade and many other higher grade officials were participated at this event.
