President promises special program to support northern farmers

President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said a special program would be implemented to help the northern farming community.

The President stated that all the required facilities will be provided to northern farmers by addressing all the weaknesses that existed in every sector. He said the farmers will be freed from debt through discussions with state and private banks.

The President made these pledges at a ceremony held to declare open the newly-constructed Kilinochchi Special Agro-Economic Center on Saturday. He went on an observational tour of the new facility, constructed at a cost of Rs. 110 million.

Speaking further at the event, the President said 100 small and medium tanks in the Trincomalee District were being renovated for the use of eastern farmers. He said a special program would be implemented to renovate such tanks in the Northern Province as well.

He said special programs will be implemented to develop the livestock sector in the north.

President Sirisena also opened a Milco sales outlet in Kilinochchi.

During this event, a group of dairy farmers from Kilinochchi met the President and spoke to him about several issues faced by them, including the purchase of milch cattle. The President promised to provide immediate solutions to these issues.

Meanwhile, a group of relatives of disappeared persons met with the President and handed him a letter. The President, who acceded to a request from them to meet him for half an hour, said he would promptly arrange a time for this meeting.

Ministers Duminda Dissanayake and P. Harrison, Governor of the Northern Province Reginald Cooray, Members of Parliament Angajan Ramanadan and Kadar Massana, the IGP, Air Force Commander and the Trincomalee District Secretary were among those present at the occasion.