He came out with the claim at a public rally in Kinniya on Thursday.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said one of the objectives behind the building of this bridge by the 2002 UNP government was to transport fertilizer needed for the cultivation of crops.

He recalled that the UNP government in 2002 negotiated with India to set up a coal power plant in Trincomalee but that was halted by this government. He however vowed to set up such a power plant in the area and thereby provide more jobs. The opposition leader also pledged to set up a steel plant in the area.

Referring to the prevailing issue with regard to land in the East, Mr. Wickremesinghe charged that the government had sold land to those outside the Eastern province. “The land in the East should be given back to its original settlers,” he said.

Outlining the UNP’s plan to develop industries in the country he pledged to set up 20 investment zones where over 700 factories would be set up.

He also pledged to relax taxes on mobile phones with the objective of giving relief to the people.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem and several candidates addressed the rally.

Courtesy: Daily Mirror