Mannar on track to join low poverty district list - Basil

Due to gover nment’s Norther n development plans, the district of Mannar c o u l d j o i n t h e l o we s t p o ve r t y l e ve l Districts in Sri Lanka next year.

” The Dist r i c t of Mannar i s r i ch i n re s o urc e s b e c o ming p a r t o f t he r i c e bowl, abundant in salt and fisheries. It is on track for development and prosperity due to gover nment’s plans for infrastruct ure and a g r i c ul t ure i n t hi s Dist r i c t . Vavuniya is lowest on poverty followed by Colombo and Gampaha, and Mannar will soon join the list,” said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Mi n i s t e r R a j a p a k s a w a s a d d r e s s - ing the kick-of f ceremony of the Divine guma on January 21 in Mannar, where ove r 6 0 0 0 pe o pl e par t i c i pat e d. The exhibition also highlighted strong private sector participation and pulled the highest Tamil speaking crowds in any Divineguma show to be held in the Nor t h e r n P r ov i n c e, c o n s i d e r i n g t h e overall low population in the region.

E x p l a i n i n g t h e D iv i n e g u ma c o n - cept, Minister Rajapaksa said: “Through Divineguma we expect to recreate 2.5 Mn self-sufficient households. Today you are experiencing an important aspect of this Divine guma where our household women have the opportunity to engage in a cottage industry at home level and ear n an income. We have invited around 8000 individuals here representing the same number of households. However we cannot on our own bring in a self-suf ficient economy. The GA, DS of fice and other gover nment of ficials in your area will assist you on behalf of line ministries to get t he r aw material t o s t ar t your e nt e rprise. However, you are responsible for production, distribution and marketing of your own products.”