Latest Central Bank reports indicate that exports from Sri Lanka had increased by 6% up to last October while all imports had come down by 10%, which in turn, had resulted in an increase of income for the people and a corresponding decrease in expenditure, said Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade at a meeting held at the Export Development Board (EDB) auditorium, where four million Rupees from the funds allocated to him under the ‘Jathika Saviya-Gama Neguma’ Development Program were distributed among several Rural Livelihood Development Programs operating in Hanwella, Padukka, Maharagama and Kaduwela Divisional Secretariats,

Under this Program, plants and seedlings needed for foliage and mushroom cultivation, technical advice and agricultural training would be provided while infusion of technology and the facilitation of the interaction between farmers and exporters too would take place.

Prof. Peiris said that efforts are being made to encourage local production in preference to the import of foreign goods. No country could stand on its own feet by importing all its requirements and everyone should strive to produce every possible consumer item within the country. During the reign of King Parakramabahu, Sri Lanka was referred to as the ‘Granary of the East’ and today, it’s everyone’s duty to create conditions to make that a reality in modern times too. To achieve such an objective, several practical steps had to be taken and the present Program ensured that the producer is provided with all the facilities and incentives to strengthen the local economy.

Referring to the increase in exports and the decreasing imports, Prof. Peiris said that it had given a tremendous boost to the local economy. He cautioned that the country should not rest on its laurels as yet. Indefatigable efforts should be made to spread the monetary resources thus earned throughout the country in a just and fair manner. In fact, steps had already been taken in that respect.

He also pointed out that areas surrounding Colombo city had been identified as quite suitable for agricultural production. Even in a limited land area, a lot of export-oriented crops could be cultivated that would ensure great economic benefits. He also said that all monies allocated to individual MPs from the De-centralized Budget should not be spent only on the creation of physical resources or infrastructure but a good part of it should be channeled towards efforts such as the propagation of self-employment opportunities in society and improvement of livelihood of the poorer segments of the people.

Prof. Peiris said that earlier, everybody concentrated on industry in relation to exports but the new thinking had been to encourage the cultivation of agricultural products, specially through schemes such as ‘export villages’. There was also a conducive environment throughout the country for the promotion of such a concept.

Referring to the ‘export village’ concept initiated by the EDB, which is a departure from the traditional export trading model, he said the unique feature of it is the ability to provide a fair and high price to the primary producer. In addition, the program would also safeguard the farmers at every turn, cover him against any uncertainties, ensure qualitative up-grading of products and the maximum utilization of available technology while encouraging value-addition.

Hector Bethmage, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock Products, Health and Irrigation of the Western Provincial Council (WPC) and Anil Koswatte, Chairman, EDB, also spoke.