To revamp war-ravaged North :

Northern professionals pledge support

by our political correspondent

A distinguished gathering of Tamil professionals from the North have expressed their fullest cooperation to the government in reconstructing the region to its old glory, when they met a top level government delegation, chaired by Senior Advisor to President and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa on Friday. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat with Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa. Around fifty Tamil professionals from various fields such as legal, medical, engineering and accountancy along with certain academics took part in the discussion with the government delegation detailing on the future plans to be worked out in rebuilding the war-hit Northern region.

The participants pointed out that to carry out extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes in the north, communication channels should be steamlined effectively. Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa made the directive to get the services from retired government officials, who are competent in all three languages. He also added that they could be attached to public institutions and police stations to assist the public. Among the other things taken up during the discussion were infrastructure development, agriculture and fisheries issues, educational matters, civil administration and the resettlement plans of the IDPs.

The Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga who welcomed the Tamil professionals at the outset said, that the response from the participants were fruitful and encouraging.