Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister focuses on linking the Northern Province with the development work in the southern region
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently stated that the government wanted to focus on the need to link the Northern Province with southern development corridors to develop its economy focusing on agriculture, fishing, tourism and manufacturing.
The Prime Minister has made this observation during a recent visit to the North.
Wickremesinghe speaking in Kilinochchi has reportedly said that despite the war ending nine years ago, the region had not seen an economic regeneration and that despite the development of infrastructure significant challenges, especially on poverty, water and housing access remained in the area and required Government assistance.
“Other than Jaffna, this situation encompasses Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Vavuniya has seen some development since the end of the war, but Jaffna still has several challenges that need to be addressed. One key point is the return of military-held land to civilians. Another is the need to address chronic water shortages in what is primarily an agriculture area,” the Premier has been quoted as saying.
According to Wickremesinghe, more needs to be done, especially in providing better water access to the region.
“Sri Lanka’s development should be planned from Jaffna to Hambantota. In that effort, we should first focus on the Kilinochchi area, which would require water supply projects including rainwater harvesting. In olden times much of this region was covered in paddy and grains. We need to bring that era back. In addition we need to develop fishing in this area. Tourism could be developed in Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya. We will pay attention to establishing a manufacturing centre in Paranthan. We will look at how this area can be developed through these efforts.”
OSL take:
The statement by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister that the development work taking place in the southern part of the country should be taken to the Northern Province opens up many investment opportunities for foreign companies in almost every field from construction, agriculture, irrigation, health, education, fisheries, industries, etc. Therefore, the discerning foreign investor could explore ventures in the Sri Lanka’s Northern Province that could be converted in to an investment opportunity that would be a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20180606/Z_4 |