Tremendous potential in Northern Province:

Jaffna, the future gateway to Sri Lanka

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Jaffna

Trading at the Jaffna Market

The special invitees, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Governor Northern Province and the two Ambassadors opening the Jaffna Trade Fair.

Jaffna Library, an icon of the peninsula and one of the best libraries in Asia, was burnt in the 80s and is regaining its former glory.

Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha, Indonesian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Abbar Hussain, Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industries President K. Poornachandran and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka, Immediate Past President Kosala Wickramanayaka at an Indonesian stall.FCCISL President Tissa Jayaweera looks on.

A stall                                                                          Pix: Shirajiv Sirimane

Jaffna could soon be the gateway to Sri Lanka and the prosperity that prevailed before the 30-year conflict began is slowly, but surely returning to the region once again..

This was pointed out by the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha.

Speaking at the second annual Jaffna International Trade Fair in Jaffna on Friday, he said that the Northern Province has tremendous potential and when they are unearthed, Jaffna would become the gateway to Sri Lanka.

He said that India too is playing a major role in assisting the area and the opening of their Consul General's Office is one such move. With the opening of the office, people in the area no longer have to come to Colombo for any matter relating to the Indian government; they can get them done at the office in Jaffna.

The processing of visas has already started and queries on investment, technical assistance and even education matters are being perused at this venue. "This will lead to even closer relations with the two countries," he said.

He said a US $ 416 million credit line too has been extended to Sri Lanka which would also help in the region's development drive.

With the A-9 highway needing urgent repair, people are now looking at accelerating the rebuilding process of the railway once again up to Kankesanthurai. "This would be a major boost."

The work on the rail track which is now progressing, in addition to assisting in the passenger transport sector, would play a key role in moving cargo faster in and out of the peninsula.

One could observe that the most sophisticated and modern private sector buses are being used for the Colombo-Jaffna passenger service.

Though sadly none of them operate during the day time, there are over 15 such buses plying the route on a daily basis. If you walk down Galle Road in Wellawatte, you would see almost every other shop displaying banners calling for passengers on these coaches.

The fare on a modern bus is Rs. 1,035 while a non-AC bus charges Rs. 550. However, due to the dilapidated condition of the road which is now being repaired, the journey takes an additional two hours and one must make sure to request a seat in front to avoid a bumpy 60 kilometre ride to Jaffna.

The rebuilding of the Jaffna rail track is now progressing and would give a major boost to the peninsula

Modern standards

The High Commissioner also said that they would start rebuilding the Kankesanthurai harbour to modern standards.

"We will start building the harbour this March and work would end early next year," he said.

"The Indian government is also keen to develop the Palali airstrip and we are currently speaking with our Sri Lanka counterparts in this regard," he said.

The airport would then be in a position to not only cater to regional traffic, but also to international passengers as well.

Many Indian-based airlines have already expressed interest to fly to Colombo while other airlines want to increase their frequencies. "Palali could cater to this traffic," he said.

The proposed Colombo Tuticorin ferry service would make international travel affordable to ordinary people as well.

"This is a very important step and the relations between the two countries would be further strengthened with this," he said.

The second service will be from Talaimannar to Rameswaran and the Indian government hopes to start rebuilding the Talaimannar pier mid-2011.

"We have already forwarded a proposal in this regard," Kantha said.

Commenting on the three-day exhibition which concludes today, and conducted by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services, a subsidiary of Visit Lanka, he said that it is helping the small and micro sector in a big way.

"We have noted a sharp increase in Indian companies taking part in the event this year and we see many of them appointing local agents," he said.

Many technological transfers too have come Sri Lanka's way, thanks to this exhibition which is being hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka.

For the first time a Kerala Pavilion was also part of the exhibition and the total Indian participation was 40 companies.

President, Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industries, K. Poornachandran said more than soft loans, what the business community in the area now needs is compensation and grants to kickstart their businesses once again.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa are keen on developing the Jaffna peninsula and thanked their sincere efforts.

He said that the private sector too is playing a major role in developing Jaffna and two factors are helping both the micro and medium sector enterprises.

A first by State Engineering Corp

For the first time the State Engineering Corporation launched the longest dome to house exhibitions of this nature in Jaffna.

Chairman of the Corporation, Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said that this 110-metre long portable canopy was entirely put up by local engineers. "This costs us around Rs. 6 million and is available for rent to both the private sector and Government to host major exhibitions or other events," he said.

Since the end of the conflict development of the North and the East has been one of the priorities of the Government.

Two special programs, Uthuru Wasanthaya and Negenahira Navodaya were especially launched for this purpose and major development projects coordinated through them.

Some of the priorities of the projects were road and railway track building, power and water supply, health and education and resettlement.

To fill a major void in the health sector, a project was initiated last week to reconstruct the Jaffna Teaching Hospital at a cost of Rs. 2.87 billion with funds from the Government of Japan.

The operating theatre would be upgraded while the central laboratory complex, ICU and other infrastructure too would be upgraded to international standard.

Success at 18

It was a shame even to mention that 17 foundation stones had been laid by various politicians from the post-Independence era to construct the 288-metre Sengupiddy Bridge.

Only the 18th foundation stone took the success route that led to the opening of the bridge which would cut travel time to Jaffna by nearly three hours, erasing 110 kilometres in the process.

It would also connect several key towns such as Kerathivu with Pooneryn, making transport easier.

Built at a cost of Rs. 1,037 million with funds from the United Kingdom, it was constructed by local engineers in less than eight months.

Development of the Duraiappah Stadium, construction of the Cultural Development Centre, construction of an international cricket grounds at Kalundai, construction of Northern Province Governor's office and residence, reconstruction of the Jaffna railway station, development work at the Jaffna bus stand and Jaffna main market, construction of the prison house in Jaffna, a housing scheme for low income groups at Navanthurai and housing development are some of the other major projects that are now in progress.