Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled the Government's five-year economic programme, aimed at fast-tracking development. The Prime Minister launched the policy document entitled ‘Powerful Sri Lanka’, described as a Sustainable Development Economic Programme to establish an economy providing opportunities to one and all in conjunction with the global community. The plan was introduced in line with the programme unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena on building a Sustainable Development Era, where all parties will share its dividends. Speaking on the unity government's development agenda at the end of the second year in office, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe explained that the programme will deal with issues and plans of development and is aimed at enhancing the economic conditions of the people, generating one million jobs and expanding the middle class. The Prime Minister said the Government is aiming to make Sri Lanka the centre of communication for shipping and logistics and expand markets through free-trade agreements. He explained that Sri Lanka’s market is limited and therefore needs to make trade agreements with large global markets such as India and China. The Premier said Sri Lanka will get the GSP+ from the European Union, and through ETCA with India and free-trade agreements with China and Singapore the Government hopes to expand into a USD 4 billion market. Talks have been held with Singapore, Japan and India for the development of Trincomalee harbour while a special programme will be initiated to develop agriculture and industries in the North as a Post-War Economy. He revealed that two large separate zones will be created in the country after identifying the Tourism, Business, Agriculture, and Fisheries sectors. One zone will be located in the Southwest where there are two airports and two harbours. According to the Prime Minister, based on the road system in the country, a massive development zone will be created from Kandy to Moneragala and Wellawaya, and the Northwest including Kurunegala will be developed alongside the Central Expressway. Two more Industrial Zones will be created in Bingiriya and Kuliyapitiya and industrial zones will also be set up in Divulapitiya and Meerigama while a tourism sector will be created in Iranawila and Kalpitiya. He said the Palaly Airport in the northern district of Jaffna will be developed as a regional airport, to serve not only Sri Lanka, but also South India. India has been pressing for the development of Palaly as an international airport to improve communication links between Tamil-speaking North Sri Lanka with India, especially Tamil Nadu. There had been an air service between Palaly and Madras and Tiruchi before the ethnic conflict turned the airport into a military base. #1060.14