N/E contribution towards development will increase under an SJB govt

• Also pledged to develop the tourism sector in the North and thereby promised to bring a speedy development in the area

By Yohan Perera  

The contribution of North and the East towards national development will increase under an SJB government, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.  “Western province accounts for 43 percent of the country’s GDP, while North contributes 4.1 percent and Eastern provinces 5.2 percent. 

• Transportation in the North and in Mannar will be developed with the assistance of Indian transportation authorities

A future government under me will change this situation. Accordingly, the North and the East provinces will contribute more towards national development under a future SJB government. We will introduce a development system based on statistics,” Premadasa told a public rally in Mannar.  

Premadasa reiterated his plea to hold a special donor conference to generate funds for the development of North and the East. “We will initiate a giant development plan for the two provinces,” he said.  

He pledged to provide a 50 kg bag of fertilizer at Rs. 5000, writing of loans granted to farmers, provide fuel to three-wheelers, school vans, fishermen, farmers and SMEs at a subsidised rate. This he said will be done under a QR code.  

“Transportation in the North and in Mannar will be developed with the assistance of Indian transportation authorities,” he also said.  

Premadasa also pledged to develop the tourism sector in the North and thereby promised to bring a speedy development in the area.