US official discusses northeast development

COLOMBO - A top US official has discussed with Sri Lankan business leaders ways to rebuild the war-hit northern and eastern parts of the country.

The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the US embassy here co-hosted a roundtable discussion on reconstruction and rehabilitation in the northeast and new development opportunities there.

The event took place Wednesday, a US embassy statement said Friday.

Business and chamber leaders told US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake that there had been many improvements in the eastern region of Sri Lanka since the defeat of the Tamil Tigers there in 2007.

They said that trade and personal transportation had improved because there were fewer security checkpoints, and that both trade and personal transportation have improved.

In addition, roads in the east have shown a dramatic improvement in the last two years.

The business leaders also explained how the east had great potential in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and other areas. But the north, which was freed the Tamil Tigers in May, was not yet as ready for investment.

The companies represented at the meeting were Hayleys PLC, Chemical Industries (Colombo) PLC, Hatton National Bank, Brandix Lanka Ltd, Daya Group of Companies and Aitken Spence PLC.

The Business for Peace Alliance of Regional Chambers of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and USAID’s Connecting Regional Economies (CORE) Project also participated.

Blake and the business leaders discussed how the diaspora could assist with reconstruction in the north and east.