Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I second the Adjournment Motion moved by the Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy.

¶ 02 In all five districts of the Northern Province, there were once many SMEs — in Jaffna, aluminium works, cutlery, glass, fruit-juice production and more. Due to the war and political factors, many closed. We need to revive them.

¶ 03 In Jaffna District, we must create SMEs in agriculture, fisheries, handloom and palmyrah-based products. Government impediments have stood in the way; remove them and take steps to start industries. We can provide vocational training for youth, bank finance for SMEs, and market access. Also, by removing certain export bottlenecks and allowing producers to export directly, we can generate employment and foreign exchange.

¶ 04 As the Hon. Rajeevan noted, Jaffna now contributes only about 4 percent to national output, once over 20 percent before the war. Because industries and export opportunities stopped, we face this state. Even through public-private partnerships, encourage SMEs and provide incentives and banking facilities, so the North too can generate income for the country.