The recent defeat of terrorism has opened the way forward towards rapid economic development and has created the opportunity for fruitful co-operation between Madhya Pradesh and Sri Lanka. So said Hon Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Urban Development and Sacred area Development, addressing a seminar organised by the Federation of MP Chambers of Commerce & Industry at the Noor-Us-Sabha Palace Hotel in Bhopal on 31 October.
The Minister described the wealth of opportunities available for Madhya Pradesh firms to join in Sri Lanka’s growth. Pointing out that the vihara at Sanchi, near Bhopal represented a symbol of Indo-Lanka co-operation, both in the past and at present, he appealed to the captains of industry of Madhya Pradesh to consider collaborative enterprises with Sri Lanka.
Madhya Pradesh has no coastal belt, so Sri Lanka would provide an ideal place to make a trade link and tourist link with. Sri Lanka was already co-operating in developing the sacred site at Sanchi, and further common partnership was possible.
Mr Pratap Verma, Secretary, Federation of MP Chambers of Commerce & Industry made a presentation on socio-economic co-operation between Sri Lanka and India with special focus on Madhya Pradesh. He pointed out that while Madhya Pradesh was five times larger in area than Sri Lanka and had had three times the population, Sri Lanka’s per capita income was almost four times higher. He detailed several areas for potential collaboration and requested that Colombo and Bhopal be linked as twin cities and that daily flights be established between the two cities.
Dr Meera Dass, convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage made a presentation on the integrated development plan of the heritage city of Ujjain. She expressed pleasure that the Hon Dinesh Gunawardena included in his portfolio both Urban Development and Sacred Area Development since, especially on the sub-continent, both needed to be dealt with together. She illustrated how the concept of heritage-based development was being carried out in the Mahakal Virasat Kshetra in Ujjain - ancient Avanti or Udeni of the Jatakas.
There was a lively feedback from the audience of entrepreneurs and heads of industry, who expressed their willingness to further the co-operation between Madhya Pradesh and Sri Lanka.
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