UNDP Regional Chief visits North

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Haoliang Xu visited the Northern districts, last week, as part of his four-day visit to Sri Lanka.

The visit to the North, which saw Xu travelling to Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, was aimed at gaining a first-hand understanding of UN and UNDP's work on the ground, the development priorities in the districts and further needs.

During the visit, Xu met the Northern Province Governor Major General (Retd) G. A. Chandrasiri and Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran.

This was followed by a meeting with the District Secretary of Kilinochchi.

Xu was also briefed about the development in the districts and the remaining challenges that needed to be addressed.

Following the meetings, Xu visited a UNDP supported resettled village in Piramanthanaru in the Kilinochchi district where he had discussions with community members.

Thereafter, he travelled to the Mullaitivu district where he visited the ice plant of the Fisheries' Cooperative Union, a joint initiative between the UNDP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) and the European Union.

The District Secretary of Mullaitivu was also present.

The ice plant has helped local fishermen improve their income and production, while women from local communities have also been trained in processing dry fish.

"The UNDP has had a strong partnership with the Government, providing support during terrorism, early recovery and now in the long-term development phase.

While building on this strong partnership, we will continue to support local economic development, empowering communities, strengthening access to justice and the rule of law and provide support for environmental sustainability and climate resilience," Xu said.