“With the North and East producing at full capacity, these regions are being integrated into the economic mainstream which has been a great achievement. With tourism booming and tourist arrivals reaching record numbers, this year has resulted in increased economic growth in the Agriculture sector. All paddy lands are being cultivated including the North and East.

Therefore this year will signify further economic growth,” Minister Rajapaksa said.

Considering the global economic environment where economies of scale in the developed countries are yet to recover from the global recession, Sri Lanka’s achievement in recording 8.5 percent growth during the second quarter of 2010 is showing the world that Sri Lanka is progressing forward, he said.

This is the highest ever quarterly growth recorded since the Central Bank and Department of Census and Statistics began estimating quarterly growth rates. The three major sectors of the economy – agriculture, industry and services recorded increased growth rates during the second quarter of 2010, which resulted in the record growth rate of 8.5 percent GDP.