|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Jaffna: Not so remote to us Health Ministry Officials visited the Jaffna peninsula recently to carry out a general survey on medical staff and other facilities of the Jaffna Hospital. Our reporter Anura Maitipe who accompanied them recounts his experience visiting a city that was once an alien place to many in the South. People who travel to Jaffna via the A-9 road have to get clearance from both the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE from their respective check points at Omanthi and Muhamali. Passengers are allowed to use the road from 7.30 AM to 4.30 PM, daily. As you enter the LTTE controlled area from Omanthai, the LTTE police issue a permit to travel through their last check point at Muhamali. But all are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that no passenger get off enroute from Omanthi to Muhamali.In the event of failure to deliver the exact number of passengers at either point means dire consequences for the driver. The once dilapidated A-9 road has been reconstructed but when compared to other areas the living conditions of people in the LTTE controlled area have not improved. All shops,hotels and boutiques are kept open in Jaffna till late in the night and people are free to travel about.The police and army are engaged in their routine duties. It was nice to see army soldiers and Jaffna youths playing volleyball and cricket in open grounds in the evenings. The South of Jaffna looks like a part of France with the entire area covered by grape vines. Other areas have onions, vegetable, plantain, fruits, coconut and tobacco. However there are a large number of houses damaged by the war yet to be reconstructed. Former school Principal S. Dharmalingam who had rebuilt his damaged house said, "I managed to reconstruct my house out of my own money, but there are many people who cannot afford to do so. They have lost their revenue during the past two decades. Therefore the government should assist people those who are not in a position to reconstruct their houses". Former civil servant, T. Arulprakasam says that the road network and drainage system in Jaffna and its suburb is in a dilapidated condition due to the war. Public urged that government should expedite rehabilitation of road network in Jaffna. R. Manikkawasam, a retired Lawyer said it was very important to repair the ancient Dutch Fort in Jaffna. Archaeological Department should take care of the ancient port, he added. The entire port has overgrown with Jungle and the South wing of port is
destroyed. The North entrance along with the boatyard connected to Lagoon
stands against the setting sun and the breeze of the famous Jaffna lagoon. |
|
||||||||
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
