Minister chairs District Secretaries confab in Jaffna

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The acceleration of infrastructure development activities in all 25 districts in the country, especially in the North, was the main topic of discussion at the first District Secretaries Conference which concluded in Jaffna last week.The Conference was held at the District Secretariat, Jaffna under the patronage of Public Administration Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne. Deputy Minister Dilan Perera was also present. Twenty five Government Agents including Jaffna GA, Imelda Sukumar and over 100 public servants attended the meeting.

Minister Seneviratne told the meeting that GAs and other Government officials now have the opportunity to develop their districts, especially with the dawn of peace to this country after 30 years.

"In addition to infrastructure facilities, the Government is committed to carry out massive economic development programs in each district with the objective of solving the unemployment problem," he said.

Minister Seneviratne highlighted the Northern resettlement program and the highway construction program and said the Government has constructed a large number of houses in the North.

Deputy Minister Dilan Perera appreciated the peaceful atmosphere in the North and said the Government has plans to establish tourist villages in the Jaffna peninsula for the benefit of local and foreign tourists.He also focused attention on the development of sports activities in the Northern Province and said that regular sporting events must be carried out with the participation of Northern and Southern schools to create harmony among all children irrespective of their ethnicity.