JAFFNA – Fast-track may be a new term that is frequently used these days to describe speeding up something but never was it used as much as at an event in Jaffna on Monday by the Central Bank Governor during the launch of a hotel project.
A cyclist rides past spanking new buildings of banks in Jaffna.
Business is growing in the once, war -battered region. Pic by Feizal Samath |
Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the government planned to fast-track prosperity through development but for that to happen, when fast-tracking development projects, funding also has to be fast-tracked.
“But a good example to learn from is the way the security forces fast-tracked the war (winning it in a short time). Thus fast-tracking development, then finding quickly the funds for it and ensuring prosperity and wealth in the hands of the people are doable,” he said speaking at the launch of the Hotel Nallur project by the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka.
Earlier in the morning, while opening a new money exchange of the Citizens Development Bank, the Governor said the end of the war provided new opportunities to the people here. “This can change lives but lives can change only if they have resources. People have ideas, methods to come out of difficult situations and out of poverty but someone needs to help them.”
He said, “We need to give credit fast, give farmers credit fast, at the right time and the right moment. There is a vision to fast-track prosperity and double per capita in five years, and what better place than Jaffna to start this. I have been here five times now and I can see the amazing transformation. Freedom not only comes from security but also from economic development,” he added.
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