World Bank vice president visits Chavakachcheri

[TamilNet, Friday, 17 January 2003, 17:45 GMT]
Ms Mieko Nishimizu, Vice President of the World Bank for South Asia Friday toured the war ravaged Chavakachcheri and other parts of Thenmaradchchi areas in Jaffna district. She earlier held discussion with the Government Agent and other heads of local government departments at Jaffna district secretariat, sources said.

She said that importance should be given to implementation of short-term development projects. The World Bank would consider implementing long-term development projects at the appropriate time, she said addressing discussion with heads of departments, sources said.

The World Bank vice president was briefed about the shortcomings and difficulties in Jaffna fisheries industry and how badly this has affected the Jaffna economy.

Meanwhile a five-member delegation led by the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Friday arrived Vavuniya to assess situation after Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was signed.

The British delegation is due to meet LTTE leaders Saturday at Killinochchi. Later they will travel to Jaffna by A9 highway, sources said.

The UK delegation met the Government Agent Mr.K.Ganesh at his office Friday and held extensive discussions about the problems in Vavuniya villages. UK envoy is expected to use the information gathered from his visit to Vavuniya, Wanni and Jaffna to make decisions on the issues of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who have sought asylum in the United Kingdom, informed sources said.