Vesak on grand scale in Mullaitivu

by P. Krishnaswamy

Vesak is being celebrated on a grand scale in the Mullaitivu district, the last theatre of battle to eradicate terrorism, Government Agent M. Vedanayagan told the Sunday Observer. Pandals have been erected in the Mullaitivu and Oddusuddan towns which were viewed by a large number of people on Friday and many thronged the dansalas, he said.

Mullaitivu that bore the worst brunt of the war against terrorism is rapidly transforming into its former state of peace and tranquility and the Government’s programs to make it a model district with several modern townships and tourist centres with extensive infrastructure are being implemented, he said.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who is Chairman of the Presidential Task Force for Northern Development will visit the district on Tuesday to inaugurate two water supply projects, one hospital building and a District Secretariat building that have been completed under the Government’s far-reaching programs.

He will be joined by Ministers Rishard Bathuideen, Douglas Devananda, local political leaders, Governor Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri and senior government officials.

The projects to be launched are the Pudukudiyiruppu hospital building constructed at a cost of Rs. 38.6 million, the Pudukudiyiruppu District Secretariat building constructed at a cost of Rs. 49.3 million, the Thunukkai Water Supply scheme completed at a cost of Rs. 192.24 million and the Pandiyankulam Water Supply scheme built at a cost of Rs. 175 million.