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Ceremonial inauguration of train service tomorrow:
Yal Devi reaches Jaffna after 24 years
By P. Krishnaswamy
The resumption of the iconic Yal Devi train service between Colombo
and Jaffna after nearly 24 years, with its ceremonial inauguration
tomorrow by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Jaffna, marks a significant
milestone in the Government's mega development programs for the
terrorism ravaged Northern province.
Perhaps it is the culmination of development programs related to road
and rail transport, infrastructure and connectivity between the North
and South.
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Senior Government officials
at the station |
The rail and road links were savagely destroyed by the LTTE
terrorists. The railway lines and the A9 road which now connects the
North and South symbolise a new beginning towards a united nation and a
common national outlook, authoritative sources said.
The India Railway Construction International (IRCON), an Indian
railway subsidiary, has now completed the restoration of the railway
lines from Palai to Jaffna under the $ 8,000 Million line of credit from
India.
Previously the IRCON had restored a section of the lines from
Omanthai to Palai. Nearly 4,000 workers, including 400 skilled labourers
from India, have been working on the project for over four years.
The 339 Km line is the longest in the country. The Jaffna railway
station has been renovated with assistance from the Bank of Ceylon (BoC).
The BoC has provided many modern facilities at the railway station
while also preserving its cultural architecture.
United nation
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CGR advertisement
announcing the train service launch in 1956 |
In April 1956 , a point of time when the country was one united
nation, away from any communal discontent, the CGR put in the following
advertisement in an English-language daily announcing the 'Three Lovely
Sisters 'train services - the Uda Rata Menike, the Yal Devi and the
Ruhunu Kumari - and thus began the iconic Yal Devi train service to
Jaffna which became part and parcel of the life of the Northern people.
Many people recall nostalgic memories of their travels, to and fro,
with their families, surprise meetings with relatives or lost-touch-with
friends and other interesting experiences.
It was the 'northern line' with the Yal Devi or the 'Princess of
Jaffna' ruling the tracks that formed the main artery joining the north
to the south, bringing with it integration, exchange and friendship. In
1985, approximately 100 individuals died as a result of the bomb attack
carried out by the LTTE on the Yal Devi train.
In 1990, the Yal Devi stopped operating past Vavuniya because of the
declining security situation.
One of the first casualties of terrorist attacks was the disruption
and intermittent severance of linkages by the terrorists between the
North and the South as early as 1985.
The A9 road that connected the Jaffna peninsula and the northern part
was also closed after terrorists overran townships along the roadway
around 1990.
However, the military defeat of the LTTE in May 2009 changed the
entire set up and the people of the North awoke to a fresh new world,
one filled with prospects of peace and social well-being.
Democracy has been fully restored and all democratically-elected
bodies, including the Provincial Council, the Municipal Council, Urban
Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas are functioning.
The district and the Jaffna city are fast returning to their pristine
glory as important economic and educational epicentres of the region.
A multitude of development-oriented mega projects have been
implemented in the district to wipe off the scars of terrorism and to
make it a model district.
As a major project in the health sector, the Jaffna Teaching Hospital
project has been completed at an expenditure of Rs.2,900 Mn under
funding from the Japanese JICA.
Rs.7,272.689 Mn has been allocated in 2013 for development and
renovation of the railway sector, all other transport sectors, including
road transport and aviation, social infrastructure, the administrative
sector, agricultural sector and tourism sector in the district,
according to district secretariat sources.
Five-year plan
Many projects with funding from the Ministry of Economic Development
and other line ministries, are under implementation to construct modern
towns, more housing complexes, improved agricultural and fisheries
facilities, electricity supply to the entire region and enhanced
irrigation facilities.
A five-year plan at a total cost of Rs.49,888.16 Million for
implementing 2,603 projects in the sectors of irrigation, agriculture,
livestock development, fisheries, water supply and sanitation, roads and
bridges, electricity, education, health, housing, industries, social
welfare and environmental management has also been formulated, the
sources said.
The amount that was allocated for the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply
and Sanitation Project under the Iranamadu Water Supply Scheme is
Rs.18,328.18 Mn.
A population of 435,000 living in the DS divisions of Jaffna,
Thenmaradchchi, Karaveddy, Velanai, Kopay, Sandilipay, Chankanai, Nallur,
Karainagar, Kayts, Poonakery and Palai will be benefited under the
project.
Although the entire project was originally estimated to be completed
in seven years, steps have been initiated to accelerate the project,
according to secretariat sources. It is an ADB, AFD and GoSL funded
project.
The Ministry of Fisheries has introduced several welfare schemes for
the fisher families and has provided all assistance including fishing
gears, vessels, docking piers, fisheries harbours and marketing
facilities. With fertile fishing ground in the Northern seas fish
production is on an increasing trend.
Total land
The Atchuvely Industrial Estate, with the funding of Rs.253.80 Mn
from the Government of India and Rs.26.20 Mn from the GoSL, is producing
aluminum hardware, stainless steel products, coconut oil, sodium
silicate, soap, poultry feed, canned fruits, printing ink and glassware.
The total land area is 64 acres, 36 factory units operate and
employment has been provided to 2,000 persons.
The Rs.2.5 Billion Cultural Centre constructed under the auspices of
the Government of India is nearing completion, marking an important
milestone in the restoration of facilities for the people to pursue
their cultural and religious activities. The Jaffna city is now a
picturesque sight and the city streets are bustling with life. |
