The Government will give priority to in developing the agricultural sector in the Eastern Province under the 'Eastern Reawakening' development drive as this region had contributed vastly to the agricultural prosperity of the country prior to the activities of the LTTE terrorists, Minister of Industrial Development, Kumara Welgama, noted at a discussion with the Chief Minister of Easter Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan. 

Minister Welgama said that measures will be taken to ensure that those engaged in the agricultural sector are provided all necessary facilities as per the especially stipulated "Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu" proviso in the 'Mahinda Chinthana'.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will assist the Ministry in implementing this programme, he disclosed.Already, 14 farmer associations in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts have been selected as the beneficiaries of the initial programme to assist the Eastern farmers. This programme will be further expanded to other parts of the region, Minister Welgama said.The Ministry of Textile Industries together with the Ministry of Industrial Development will implement several mega textile industrial projects as this region has been identified as a zone with great potential for the apparel industry with the Government inaugurating mega infrastructural development projects.

The Minister noted that Government will send 15 persons from the Eastern Province to India at the initial stage of the overseas training programme on fashion designing.

Apart from the large scale projects in the apparel Industry, the region has been identified as a fitting centre to set up leather factories.

(Courtesy : News LK )