President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared open the newly built apparel factory of the Hirdaramani group at Puthukkudiyiruppu in the former conflict zone in the North. Speaking at the event President Sirisena said the future of the country is with the youth and the country can be built with their strength, utilizing their energy and ensuring their democratic rights to build the nation. The President said the government is set to launch many new investment projects in the North where the people are struggling with unemployment and poverty.

He added that many local and foreign investors have come up with investment plans for the North to help resolve the burning issue of unemployment among the youth in the North. The apparel factory opened in Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu districts by the Hirdaramani Group, a top apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, currently provides employment to nearly 1,000 people in the district.

Speaking further, the President said that problems among youth can be resolved by eliminating poverty and spiritual development. Pointing out that drug use has recorded an increase in the North, the President said drugs do more harm to the society than weapons. Following the opening ceremony, the President exchanged views with the employees of the factory. They requested the President to find their missing relatives, release the suspects under custody and inform him about the shortcomings in development work. The President assured them to resolve all issues gradually.

He said the present government has taken measures to prevent breaking out of another war, so that people in the South as well as North can live happily. Mere constructions and physical development would not bring satisfaction to public life, he noted. He said it is the government

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