Sri Lanka has managed to achieve a 14% growth in the export sector during last year under trying circumstances, and in specific areas such as the export of rubber and paper products and gems there have been a phenomenal 70% growth, said Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade at a public gathering at the Polonnaruwa Divisional Secretariat, where rupees five million was distributed among exotic fish exporters based in the District to upgrade their industry.

Prof. Peiris said that it was intended to distribute this export income evenly throughout the country instead of limiting such dividends to Colombo and adjacent areas. He said the strongest element in the Sri Lankan economy was its export sector and it has helped the country to earn foreign exchange on a large scale even under negative conditions presently prevailing in the World Market.

Pointing out that the per capita income in the country has risen, the Minister said that export income could be utilized to further improve it. With that in mind, the Export Development Village concept had been launched at a practical level. Such factors as the geographical location of Sri Lanka, soil and climatic conditions of different areas and even the social habits of a particular area have to be taken into account before a suitable industry could be earmarked for a certain part of the country. "Thambuttegama area has been identified for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables while Hambantota, Kolonne and Embilipitiya areas have been found suitable for palmyrah leaf packages, kitul industry and cultivation of bananas respectively.

Prof. Peiris said that various surveys and studies done had indicated the suitability of Polnnaruwa region for the breeding of exotic fish. Those studies had also found that certain elements in the soil and water of the area tended to enhance the sharpness of colours of the exotic fish, thus increasing their market value.

He also said that this particular programme was launched by the Ministry and the Export Development Board (EDB) to raise the standard of living of the primary producers of exotic fish and enhance their incomes and that the NAGDA, Exotic Fish Association, National Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Netherlands have contributed in many ways to make it successful.

Prof. Peiris also highlighted the need for capital to advance this industry and acknowledged the difficulties faced by investors, specially the small and medium scale businessmen, due to the prevailing high interest rates. To ameliorate such a situation even to a lesser extent that his Ministry selected 100 families engaged in this industry with the help of Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Services.

He thanked the Government of Netherlands for providing funds for the programme and also D. Easwaran and Asoka Hettigoda, Chairman and Secretary respectively of the National Chamber of Commerce for their assistance.

Minister Maithipala Sirisena speaking highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka imported 60% of all consumer goods though only 20% of the total could not be produced in this country. As Minister of Agriculture, his efforts were to reduce the import of agricultural products by growing as much as possible here. He also thanked Prof. Peiris for devising a programme to support the exotic fish breeders in the Polonnaruwa district.

Ranjith Wijetilleke, Divisional Secretary, Polonnaruwa District and Wimalasiri Dissanayake, President, Exotic Fish Association of Polonnaruwa also spoke while its Secretary, M. M. G. Heenbanda made the welcome speech.

Among those present were Siripala Gamlath, Deputy Minister, Agricultural Services, Nandasiri Sooriaratchi, Deputy Minister, Land Development, S. Ranugge, Secretary, Ministry of Export Development and International Trade, R. M. K. Ratnayake, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, North Central Province along with Bryan Angunewela, Ms. Sujatha Weerakoon, George Perera and Dhammika Jayawardena, Chairman, Director-General, Deputy Director and Manager, North Western Province respectively of the Export Development Board and Anil Coswatte, Consultant to the Ministry and Sampath Dissanayake, Private Secretary to the Minister.