Biggest trade fair in Jaffna after seven years

By Shanika Sriyananda

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The improved security situation after seven years in the Jaffna peninsula has set the stage for the Armed Forces to hold the first ever, biggest trade fair and carnival in Jaffna.

Commander, Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna Major General G. A. Chandrasiri told the Sunday Observer that normalcy has returned to the peninsula and the Security Forces are doing their best to maintain security and avoid LTTE infiltrations.

He said a small trade fair held two weeks ago attracted over 10,000 people.

Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri said that these events were organised by the Security Forces to change the mindset of the people in Jaffna who witnessed the gravity of the war for decades. Children in the peninsula have not enjoyed life for years and we want to change this too, he said.

According to Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri, the Jaffna peninsula is always a target of the LTTE and the terrorists try to infiltrate into the area but it is now a difficult task for them as security has been tightened to the maximum.

“I cannot give a 100 per cent assurance that Jaffna is free of LTTE cadres.

There may be sleeping cadres and people who do not want the LTTE to be in their areas will inform the Security Forces even if there is the slightest incident”, he said.