Minister Jayalath visits Jaffna, meets with GA, LTTE and UNHCR

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 August 2003, 15:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement Minister Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene Thursday arrived in Jaffna and held discussions with the Government Agent Mr.S.Pathmanathan at the Jaffna district secretariat, sources said. He later met with LTTE leaders in the LTTE Jaffna district Administrative Service office located at Anaipanthy in Jaffna town.

These were followed by discussions at the office of the UNHCR with the Divisional Secretaries in the district pertaining to the development works to be implemented in the peninsula. UNHCR Jaffna district delegate Mr. Neil Rite presided. Government Agent Mr.Pathmanathan also attended, sources said.

Dr Jayawardene said that twenty one million rupees had been spent for the development of the district upto now. He further said 121 million rupees had been allocated for the implementation of development projects in the spheres of housing, drinking water, health, education, fisheries and social welfare, sources said.

Of the 91 welfare centres housing internally displaced families only 12 are being maintained by his ministry due to shortage of funds, Minister said.

Minister’s Secretary Mr.A.Jeyaretnam and advisor Mr.Dudely Dissanayake accompanied him to Jaffna, sources said.

Minister later briefed the local journalists about his visit to Jaffna. “I have come to Jaffna without any security even after my failed earlier visit to Jaffna University. My visit here is not politically motivated. My sole aim is develop the Jaffna district. My visit has been arranged on the instruction of the Prime Minister, “ Dr.Jayawardene said.