The Sri Lanka Export Development Board intends to commence   expo exhibitions in place of the popular Mahapola fairs which were, organized by the Ministry of Trade.The first of this kind of exhibition is currently being held in the electoral seat of the President who has a tremendous vision to regenerate the people of the South. As history reveals the people of the South have been marginalized resulting in two insurrections, this country suffered in the post independence era. It was revealed in the fact finding report by Rev. Croose SJ of the National Seminary  that the uneven distribution of opportunity caused the youth unrest in 1971. The only resurgence of economic activity in the Hambantota District occurred during the Premiership of Ranasinghe Premadasa under the village re-awakening programme.. With the coming into power by the Peoples Alliance regime under President Rajapaksa he himself being a son of Ruhuna it is his dream & determination to develop the infrastructure base needed for a speedy take off in economic & social activity in the Ruhunu Rata.

 Minister G.L.Peiris one time Chairman of the National Youth Commission  on an assignment by the late President Premadasa has experience in dealing with   youth affairs and has published the Commission Report where he describes the crisis in the South as Colabata Kiri, Gamata Kakiri which was the theme in all development strategies planned  from Colombo. The Planning and Research Development  from Colombo in airconditioned Rooms, enjoying the best perks with free participation in trade fairs, awareness seminars, workshops abroad have all contributed to keep the people of the South marginalized. As once observed in the House by the Member of Parliament from Hambantota . Sajith Premadasa. the rich being 20% of the population consume around 53% of the  national income.  Former EDB Chairman Rohanta Athukorale’s writing to leading Business Pages has revealed that the Western Province GDP growth equals China or India, This disparity has to change if the people of the country are to be contented.

 One time President Junius Richard Jayawardena said  either export or perish. We have to export to reduce the balance of payment with India our negibouring partner.  We have entered into a bilateral agreemet with India and have almost have finalised the CEPA  for professional services. With high literacy standards prevailing now in the South, we can export quality services in the hospitality industry, IT, engineering,tailoring or maintenance work ect.,  Ever since the Chandrika Kumaranatunga administration we have introduced IT to schools carriculum &  e - commerce has been made popular among rural school children.

 Export Development as it stood for nearly a quarter century was mooted towards promotional efforts in foreign lands and the recent shift to regional approach has gained momemtum. Its founder late Lalith Authulathmudali closely supervised the work programme of the his Ministership and personally checked all reports forwaded by officers participating foreign asignments . The Ruhunu Udanaya is nothing but a replication of the Export Productive Village Concept the brain child of the late Minister.

The CBI in the Netherlands highlited in one of their recent publications that the need to travel all over the world in the name of export promotion was a concept of the past. Do your regional work and link them to an international export chain is what is required. As the former Chairman EDB Authukorale puts it export agencies need not reintroduce the past business pracices but must go for innovative methords to  update the techonology that can facilitate the SMEs to grow. The technology is the cyber network.   The new export culture demands new technology in rural agriculture, industry, fisheries and in  farming. There is no system to cover these sectors at present. The Eastern Province is waiting for these promotional efforts. It is with the best intentions that the EDB has decided on Regional Officers at Ampara & Hambantota.