2ND LEAD

967 graduates get appointments in Batticaloa, Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Monday, 28 July 2008, 13:29 GMT]
485 graduates in Batticaloa district and 482 in Ampaa'rai district received appointments for jobs in two separate events on Monday. The appointments for the first batch of 1225 graduates who were already promised come in the wake of protests by more than 2,500 unemployed in the Eastern Province. Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Premajayantha was the chief guest for the events on Monday. Security was beefed up in the nearby streets 24-hours in advance to the events amid a new wave of protest by voluntary teachers who were yet to receive permanent appointments.

The appointment events were held Monday in Batticaloa Hindu College around 9:00 a.m. and at D. S. Senanayake College in Ampaa'rai district at 2:00 p.m.

Two rounds of protests were held within the last two months by the unemployed graduates in Batticaloa, the last protest was against the Eastern Provincial Council, the last protest against the UPFA installed chief minister and paramilitary leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who was finally forced to promise action within 3 months.

Sri Lankan Minister for Disaster Relief Services Amir Ali Sihabdeen, Governor of North East Province Rear Admiral (Retd.) Mohan Wijeyawickrema, paramilitary leader and Chief Minister of Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, Eastern Provincial Council ministers and government officials of various departments took part in the events.

Streets in both districts were blocked and vehicular traffic restricted in the intensive security measures adopted by the police and the SLA. Traffic along Telecom Street, Thaamaraikea'ni Street and Railway Station Road around Batticaloa Hindu College was limited.

Sri Lankan Police and Special Task Force (STF) commandos directed the traders along the main road from Kalmunai to Chammaanththu'rai to remove the advertisement banners and not to allow bicycles, motorcycles and other vehicles to be parked in front of their shops.

197 graduates received appointments for jobs, in Trincomalee district, Saturday.

Chronology:


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