While stressing that the Government was working on a new formula to pool all resources to develop the nation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated this new outlook towards development could solve the country's unemployment problem.

"We hope to provide more than 200,000 youth with viable foreign employment opportunities within this year," said the President at an election rally in Kalutara on Saturday (02 Jan).

"Plans have also been mooted to initiate housing projects for public servants," the President told the cheering crowd outlining some of the people friendly development efforts.
The President added that the Beruwela harbour too was being upgraded to help local fishermen.

Agriculture including rubber cultivation too is being supported.
In addition, plans are afoot to develop tourism related industries and attract more tourists. A new investment zone in Kalutara too is in the offing, which would create viable employment/business opportunities in the area, he added.

President Rajapaksa also said that more foreign direct investments will be created in the country in the coming months.
The President stated that he had come before the people after fulfilling the promise of uniting the country, with two more years remaining in his term and his future goal was to propel Sri Lanka as one of the most developed nations.