Resource-rich Mannar can join low poverty district list: Basil

Due to the Government’s northern development plans, the District of Mannar can join the lowest poverty level districts in Sri Lanka next year, said Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa.

“The District of Mannar is rich in resources, becoming part of the rice bowl, abundant in salt and fisheries. The district is on track for development and prosperity due to the Government’s plans for infrastructure and agriculture in this district. Vavuniya is lowest on poverty followed by Colombo and Gampaha and I am sure Mannar will join the list next year,” he added.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa was addressing the ‘Divi Neguma’ kick-off ceremony on 21 January in Mannar in the presence of Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Douglas Devananda, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Senior Minister for Urban Affairs A.H.M. Fowzie.

The ‘Divi Neguma’ series of exhibitions are promoted under the guidance of the Minister Rajapaksa’s Ministry of Economic Development and is implemented under five line ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The Export Development Board (EDB) and National Entrepreneurs Development Authority (NEDA) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce contribute significantly to the programme according to the vested subject areas.

On 21 and 22 January, more than 6,000 people thronged the first ‘Divi Neguma’ exhibition that went on show in Mannar. The eighth ‘Divi Neguma’ show in the series and the first ever ‘Divi Neguma’ to be held in the region, it also highlighted strong private sector participation and pulled the highest Tamil-speaking crowds in any ‘Divi Neguma’ show to be held in the Northern Province, especially considering the overall low population in the region. Interestingly, it also showed unprecedented interest of many exhibition goers – who usually go after white collar occupations – towards small scale entrepreneurship and self-employment.

Explaining the ‘Divi Neguma’ concept, Minister Rajapaksa said: “The ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ is about how President Mahinda Rajapaksa is envisioning making Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’. His idea of Sri Lanka as the ‘Wonder of Asia’ means not only making the country a wonder but also the citizen, the families, the village and the district too wonders, so that in turn, we will see the wonder of the people of Sri Lanka. The theme of the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ is to develop the individual, then the family, followed by the village which in turn will develop the country.

“In this broader concept, the programme that will focus on the person and the family is called ‘Divi Neguma’. Through it our aim is to create a healthy family of strong individuals. We are working towards making every person and each family unit in the country to become a self-sufficient economic unit which will begin to supply clean and wholesome fruits and vegetables. Our previous generations delved in paddy, chena and other crop cultivations and kept even the dairy supply at their own household levels. If all these failed, as an alternative, the household woman also did some form of a cottage industry such as clay, or dry fish, to maintain self-sufficiency. Through ‘Divi Neguma’ we expect to re-create 2.5 m self-sufficient households.

“Today you are experiencing an important aspect of this ‘Divi Neguma’ where our household women have the opportunity to engage in a cottage industry at home level and earn an income. Today we have invited around 8,000 individuals here representing the same number of households. However we cannot on our own bring in a self-sufficient economy. We need your contribution too to achieve this. You need to enlist in this effort first by choosing a cottage industry of your choice from the wide variety of industry choices available here. The cottage industries under this scheme are divided into two groups – one to be done on a collaborative basis and the other at an individual level.

“This expo gives you an opportunity to obtain the basic knowledge with regard to the cottage industry of your choice. You will come to know what type of machinery you will need, the amount to be invested, the avenues of financial aid and loans available to you, etc. Once we help you to go into your choice of cottage industry, we thereafter will also give you the needed training through nominated institutions. The GA, DS office and other Government officials in your area will assist you on behalf of line ministries to get the raw material to start your enterprise.  However, you are responsible for production, distribution and marketing of your own products.”

Talking of the Government’s development efforts, Minister Rajapaksa said: “The Government has formulated development plans based on identified priorities. Peace and law and order are essential for development. At one time, more than two thirds of the coastal areas were lost to national production and there was fear everywhere even to walk on the road. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has brought peace to the country along with our dedicated soldiers.

“Thereafter he created a peaceful environment to start the development process. New roads and infrastructure including bridges, sky bridges, ports and airports have been built. Village level electricity schemes were developed and irrigation schemes such as Deduru Oya and Moragahakanda were further developed. Not forgetting that 80% of our population are in the rural areas, the ‘Gama Neguma’ project was introduced to develop village infrastructure. New industries have been introduced and last year our export income topped US$ 1 billion as a result of the vision of the President.”