Under present Government :

Development speeds up

Irangika Range

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardene said this is an era in which the biggest number of development projects have taken place after Independence.

Addressing an opening ceremony of the Building Material Corporation's "Pripun Piyasa," a one stop shop where all building materials and construction equipment are available under one roof in Sri Sangaraja Mawatha, Colombo, the Minister said that the Government has embarked on a giant development program under the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"It was only the present Government which engaged in large scale development activities while wiping out the terrorism," he said.

The Government has commenced massive development activities in the North and East under the Negenahira Navodaya" and "Uthuru Vasanthaya" in the aftermath of the war.

The Northern railway line is under way while a number of roads are being carpeted and reconstructed.. Civilians who have been resettled in their original lands have already commenced their farming and fishing.

This is the first time that five mega ports development projects are being carried out in Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Dikovita and Kirinda while a new Airport is being constructed in Mattala. Meanwhile, Norachcholai power plant and Upper Kotmale power plant will fulfill the electricity needs of the country. Water requirements for farming and drinking can also be met through the mega irrigation projects of Uma Oya and Moragahakanda reservoir

"We have been able to provide 3.50,000 new job opportunities in the public sector despite the negative impact of the war," he said.

The Government provided a number of reliefs and subsidies for the well-being and welfare of the public despite the challenges of the global economic downturn.

Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama said that the upgrading of BMC will provide high quality building materials and construction equipment at low cost to the public. It has also given an opportunity to local businessmen to sell their products through the BMC.