Minister Devananda calls for free, fair LG polls in North

by Mohammed NAALIR

Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development and Jaffna district Parliamentarian Douglas Devananda called for free and fair Local Government polls in the North to stabilise democracy.

A meeting was held at the Government Agent's Office in Jaffna on Friday to review the development activities being carried out in Jaffna peninsula. Governor North G.A. Chandrasiri, Government Agent Imelda Sukumar, Jaffna District Parliamentarian Murugesu Chandrakumar and Jaffna Mayoress Yogeswari Patkunarasa and Departmental heads of Government institutions, participated.

The Minister directed Road Development Authority officials to accelerate work on the A 9 highway and other roads to cater to increased vehicular traffic which is a prime factor in infrastructure development.

He said people should not get carried away by rumours being spread to tarnish the image of the Government and Government officials. Local Government elections should be fair, free and non-violent to give the public a chance to select their representatives democratically, the Minister said.

Devananda also said "The Government wants to resettle the people after the demining clearence certificate is issued by the Ministry of Deference to ensure the safety of the people.

Employment opportunities, and infrastructure facilities are the other important factors to be developed to improve the standard of living of the people who had suffered due to three decades of war".