The thrust of Government policy is not only to increase the volumes of foreign exchange earned for the country through exports but to ensure that these benefits are fully enjoyed at the rural level so that incomes rise in the remoter areas as well, Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade said in Polonnaruwa recently.

The Polonnaruwa district is a clear example of the success achieved by the Government in providing facilities to enable the farming community to earn additional income, he said at a meeting presided by Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services and General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The Government has carefully identified economic activities appropriate in each area, and designed practical and multi-faceted programs to support these activities in each area to invigorate the rural economy, he continued.

Prof. Peiris said that climatic condition, and especially the quality of the water, made Polonnaruwa district particularly suitable for the aquarium fish industry, and the Government has accordingly identified this industry as the principal focus of export-oriented programs developed by the Export Development Board (EDB), he said.

More than 1,500 persons are involved in the aquarium fish industry in the Polonnaruwa district, especially in the Dimbulagala area, while this activity is also widespread in other parts of the region, including Medirigiriya and Hingurakgoda. An Aquarium Fish Producers’ Society has been formed with an initial membership of 100 and its numbers are increasing rapidly.

Prof. Peiris cited as an inspiring example the case of Kapilaratne, a former senior official of the Bank of Ceylon in Polonnaruwa who, in his retirement, had taken to aquarium fish production and found it a lucrative enterprise. Wimalasiri, the President of the Society, accompanied Prof. Peiris on an inspection tour of the Oasis aquarium fish farm in the area and engaged in a discussion on issues relating to the development of the industry in Polonnaruwa with the Minister

Peiris, Janaka Sugathadasa, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade, and Mrs. Sujatha Weerakoon, Director-General of the Export Development Board.

Minister Peiris discussed with local representatives of the industry the continuing assistance offered by his Ministry with regard to the provision of necessary facilities such as nets and water purifying equipment, and the development of links between the producers and export companies.

The Ministry’s initiative, designed in three segments, has conferred substantial benefit on 200 persons engaged in this industry. The cost incurred is in excess of Rs. 12.3 million, the Minister said.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the development of exports is a prime requisite for the economic development of the country at this time. The fullest use of the natural resources of the Polonnaruwa area for the purpose of improving the livelihoods of the local community is entirely commendable, he continued.

Minister Sirisena described the various measures which had been implemented in the area in the agricultural sector to achieve higher levels of income with the advent of stable and lasting peace.