Economic growth in the Sri Lanka's northern and eastern provinces has improved significantly during the post-Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) period, official Daily News reported Saturday.

The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the Northern Province has grown by an average 12.6% during the post-CFA period compared to 3. 4% during the pre-CFA period, according to a comprehensive research study conducted by the Economic Division of the Peace Secretariat of Sri Lanka.

The GDP of the Eastern Province increased by 10.1% per annum during the post-CFA period, compared to 4.6% during the pre-CFA period, said Jayantha Dhanapala, secretary general of the Peace Secretariat.

The most positive feature of the post-CFA economic experience has been the phenomenal growth of the agricultural sector in the northern and eastern provinces, he said, adding these findings are compelling evidence that the transition from war to peace in the country.

He also appealed to parties concerned to consolidate the peace process and move towards reopening direct negotiations with the rebels within the framework of the Oslo decisions that the tigers signed with the government on Dec. 5, 2002 so as to promote the whole sectors of island country's economy.

According to the research, the northern, eastern and Central provinces, which were heavily influenced by the civil war, were the three regions to have realized significantly higher GDP growth during the post-CFA period.

The rebels and the government entered the cease-fire in February 2002 and started face to face negotiations seven months later but the rebels walked out the talks in April 2003 after a six round.

Source: Xinhua