(Text of a Media Communique Issued by te Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development)

Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, participating at the ceremony held to mark the laying of Foundation Stone to the building complex of the Central Banks’ Northern Provincial Branch at Kilinochchi Vidya Nagar on the 12th of August, 2013, said that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was in the process of conducting many a Poverty Alleviation Programmes in the Northern Province in an extremely commendable manner with proven outcomes. Hon. Basil Rajapaske, the Minister of Economic Development participated at the ceremony as the Chief Guest.

Continuing his speech, the Minister said that setting up of a Provincial Branch of the Central Bank in the Northern Province at Kilinochchi was a historical event and he was happy observe the 01st step towards this exercise was made on that day. The Minister expressed his sincere thanks on behalf of the people of the North to His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapakse, Hon. Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development and Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabral, the Governor of the Central Bank for selecting ‘’Kilinochchi’’ city to set up the Central Bank’s 5th Provincial Branch. He also said that he had been contributing his maximum towards the poverty alleviation programmes being carried out by the Central Bank in the war torn Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Hon. Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development, speaking at the occasion said that steps were taken to establish the Central Bank’s Provincial Branch in Kilinochchi envisaging the economic challenges the area would be called upon to face, and within a short spell of time, he was sure that Kilinochchi would emerge, the economic centre in the Northern Province. As the life of the people in the war battered areas was gradually returning to normalcy the Government had decided to improve and update all the infrastructure facilities in these areas, added the Minister.

Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabral the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, speaking at the occasion said that work on the entire building complex would be completed within a period of 12 months and also action would be taken to improve all the infrastructure facilities in the area.

Major General G.A Chandrasiri, Governor of the North speaking at the event said that during the past 4 years the Northern Province had developed tremendously with help extended by the Central Bank through many a development programme.

Mr. Murugesu Chandrakumar, EPDP Member of Parliament for Jaffna District and Deputy Chairman of the Committees of Parliament and Mr. V. Sivagnanasothy, the Ministry Secretary also participated at the occasion.