Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade and Acting Minister of Posts and Telecommunication, addressed a rally in Tangalle, signifying the end of a week of activities organized on an island-wide scale by the Mahaweli Development Authority to pay tribute to the country’s farmers.

Prof. Peiris explained how the development of the agricultural sector had contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s ability to mitigate the consequences of the global economic meltdown. He discussed in detail the progress which had been achieved by the government with regard to its agricultural projects in the Southern Province, and its plans for the future.

Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister for Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Irrigation and Water Management, spoke of the range of the contribution made by the farmers of the Southern Province to the strength of the national economy.