French envoy lauds development in North

French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Christine Robichon observed progress in the economic development of the region and the improvement of infrastructure.

Following her visit to the garment factory, opened by the Hirdaramani Group in Vavuniya last November she said, "It is encouraging to see that a private Sri Lankan company, exporting to France, is creating jobs and employing women, in a region where many of them are breadwinners. I was impressed to see how Tamil and Sinhalese employees quickly developed a team spirit, despite the language barrier ".

In Vavuniya, the Ambassador visited the Family Tracing Unit supported by UNICEF, which aims at reunifying missing children with their parents.

In Kilinochchi, she was briefed by representatives of UNHCR and other UN agencies on their humanitarian activities. She undertook several field visits of projects funded by the European Union and conducted by local and international NGOs.

In the Pudukkudiyiruppu DS Division, she spoke to former displaced persons who returned to their land and others who have been relocated in the Kombavil "new" village. The latter expressed their wish to be resettled in their original villages as soon as possible.

Vulnerable Tamil families of returnees, who are provided with shelter, livelihood opportunities or training, spoke to her about the challenges they face in their daily lives. In Mullaitivu, she also met members of the Muslim community, who returned to their land after 20 years.

Robichon toured the island, during the past two weeks. She visited Matara, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and the Mullaitivu districts, where she met Government Agents, representatives of civil society and local politicians.

In Matara, she was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna. She also visited centres run by local NGOs providing support and training to vulnerable groups, particularly children and young people.