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| Sunday, 16 May 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Life remains still miserable by Anura Maitipe Officials of the Ministry of Health visited the Jaffna peninsula recently to carry out a general survey on the medical staff and other facilities of the Jaffna Hospital. Our reporter Anura Maitipe who accompanied them recounts his experience, visiting a city that was once an alien place to many in the South. People who travel to Jaffna via the A-9 road have to get clearance from both the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE from their respective check points at Omanthai and Muhamalai. Passengers are allowed to use the road from 7.30 AM to 4.30 PM,daily. As you enter the LTTE-controlled area from Omanthai, the LTTE police issue a permit to travel through their last check point at Muhamalai. But all drivers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that no passenger gets off en route from Omanthai to Muhamalai. Failure to deliver the exact number of passenger at either point means dire consequences for the driver. The once dilapidated A-9 road has been reconstructed but when compared with other areas in Jaffna, the living conditions of people in the LTTE-controlled area have not improved. All shops, hotels and boutiques are kept open in Jaffna till late in the night and people are free to travel about. The Police and Army are engaged in their routine duties. It was nice to see Army soldiers and Jaffna youths playing volleyball and cricket in open grounds in the evenings. The south of Jaffna looks like a part of France with the entire area covered by grapes vines. Other areas have onions, vegetable, plantain, fruits, coconut and tobacco. However there are a large number of houses damaged by the war yet to be reconstructed. Former school Principal S. Dharmalingam who had rebuilt his damaged house said, "I manage to reconstruct my house out of my own money, but there are many people who cannot afford to do so. They have lost their revenue during the past two decades. Therefore the government should assist people those who are not in a position to reconstruct their houses". Former civil servant T. Arulprakasam said that the road network and drainage system in Jaffna and its suburb was in a dilapidated condition due to the war. Public urged that government should expedite rehabilitation of road network in Jaffna. R. Manikkawasm Retired Lawyer said it was very important to repair the ancient Dutch Fort in Jaffna. Archaeological Department should take care of the ancient port, he said. The entire port has been covered by Jungle and the south wing of port has destroyed. The North entrance along with the boat yard connected to Lagoon stands against the rising sun and the breeze of the famous Jaffna lagoon. |
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