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Sunday, 2 August 2009

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A better tomorrow

Various development projects are being launched in the North, after the Province was liberated from the clutches of LTTE terror a couple of months ago.

Despite some concocted stories by a handful of opportunist politicians and certain International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs) with vested interests, the masses are now overjoyed with the sweeping changes that are taking place in the Northern Province.

Perhaps, the conditions in the camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) may not seem impressive to politicians such as Jayalath Jayawardane, who even used to take off his shoes when entering cemeteries of the fallen LTTE terrorists, during Velupillai Prabhakaran's terror rule.

The International Community and even certain INGOs which had been critical of the Government during the recent humanitarian operations, have openly commended the improved facilities at the IDP camps.

Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa has been working tirelessly to ensure a better tomorrow for over 250,000 civilians who had been rescued from the jaws of LTTE terror. His dynamic leadership has been an inspiration to make the 'Northern Spring' a resounding success.

Despite the heavy flow of civilians who were rescued by the Security Forces during the recent humanitarian operations, the Government spared no pains to provide food and shelter to civilians who have been subjected to numerous harassments during Prabhakaran's ruthless rule.

The conditions at the IDP camps have improved tremendously as the Government employed its state mechanism to meet the challenge. Having successfully met the initial challenge in housing those displaced at camps, the Government's next aim is to resettle them speedily.

Apart from providing displaced persons with permanent shelter and finding them a suitable livelihood, the Government is also keen on improving the infrastructure facilities to strengthen the rural economy in those areas.

The Government intends to get the people in the North and the East actively involved in strengthening the country's national economy.

In addition, the Government, under the illustrious leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has taken steps to restore democracy in the North, as it was successfully accomplished in the East. The Local Government elections in Jaffna and Vavuniya on August 8, will enable people in those areas to elect their own representatives to the two Local Government bodies.

No sooner the entire Northern Province is cleared of landmines and the resettlement process is completed, elections to the Northern Provincial Council too would take place.

Meaningful steps have been taken to facilitate the well-being of thousands of people who fled due to terrorist attacks in Weli-Oya -Padaviya. They too will be resettled before the end of the month.

The Government is making every effort to reduce the cost-of-living in the North and develop the province and bring it on par with the Western Province. The first new Lak Sathosa outlet was opened in Jaffna last week to provide essential commodities at concessionary rates to consumers.

Massive development in the telecommunication sector is also under way.

Telecommunication firms setting up networks in the North and the East are being encouraged to share infrastructure under a new rebuilding plan of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), headed by Priyantha Kariyapperuma.

It would be mandatory for at least three operators to share the cost of installing and running network towers, of which the first would be a 172-metre tower to be erected in the newly-liberated Kokavil. The TRC-funded Rs. 150 million- project, designed in the shape of a pyramid, will be launched this week. The tower, to be completed before the end of this year, will beam television, radio, wireless and cellular services.

In a bid to develop the telecommunication sector in the North and link the province to other parts of the island, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) too would strengthen its fibre optic cable network. One such cable that runs from the Northern area of Mannar to Vavuniya, which was damaged during LTTE terror, would soon be repaired. Another fibre optic line would be laid along the A-9 highway that links the South to Jaffna.

Meanwhile, cinema goers in the North and East will be privileged to view films in cinema halls, which was taboo by the LTTE, when they controlled most parts of the two provinces.The eight film halls in the area would be restored under Government patronage, providing entertainment to tens of thousands of cinema goers. The LTTE terrorists not only destroyed cinema halls but also prevented the Tamil community of their right to entertainment.

This will undoubtedly be a new experience for youth in the North, who only witnessed brutal attacks of LTTE terror for the past 30 years. If we could mobilise the services of these youth for the betterment of the country, Sri Lanka could reach greater heights in economic development. Though nature has gifted the Northern and Eastern parts of the island with fertile soil, these Provinces had been unable to contribute towards agricultural development since the late 70s due to LTTE terror.With the eradication of terrorism, the two provinces would provide a substantial agricultural harvest to the market in the near future. Early indications are encouraging - a rich fishing harvest from the East and agro products from the North. Certain countries and INGOs who were unwilling to support the Government during the recent humanitarian operations have now endorsed President Rajapaksa's far-sightedness. They now agree that the Government had taken the most appropriate decision in rescuing innocent civilians.

It is the duty of all peace-loving people here and across the globe to wholeheartedly support the Government's commitment to provide a better tomorrow for those in the North.

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