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From Addalaichenai special correspondent, P. T. Iqbal

The Oluvil Harbour will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 3,600 million. The Government of Denmark has come forward to undertake the construction work of this harbour on the request of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. This harbour will come into operation as a commercial harbour within two years. This was disclosed by Rauff Hakeem, the Minister of Ports Development, Shipping, Eastern Development and Muslim Religious Affairs while he was addressing a gathering at Palamunai after inaugurating the Access Road of the Oluvil Harbour on Sunday.

Minister Hakeem said that when Oluvil harbour comes into operation, the life standard of three communities of this region will be automatically enhanced and it will also pave the way to carry forward the other development activities not only for this region but also other parts of our country.

The Oluvil harbour is one of the farsighted policies of our late leader, M. H. M. Ashraff. That was why, when he took oaths as the Minister or Ports Development in the PA government, he had demanded President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for setting up a harbour at Oluvil. Accordingly, the harbour works were launched but he is no more among us. It's our bounden duty to carry forward his ideas and aspirations. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also agreed to get on with this project. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress extends its gratitude to the Prime Minister.

Minister Hakeem also said that the Oluvil harbour is not only for one community, but it belongs to all communities in this region. Likewise, the funds allocated by the Ministry of Eastern Development also will be utilised for all three communities in this region. The Eastern Development Ministry has allocated a sum of Rs. 65mn for the development of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. The same mount of money will be made available to the Eastern University of Sri Lanka too. Serving for all communities equally is our policy and the same policy was followed by our late leader. Carrying forward the foot steps of our late leader is our ambition. All should render their support to carry them forward.

He said that an Industrial Zone will be set up in Sammanthurai based on the Oluvil Harbour. As a result of it, hundreds of unemployed youths are to get employment. Proper drainage system for low lying area in the Eastern province is to be brought by the Eastern Development Ministry. A sum of Rs. 750 million will be spent for this project. The Prime Minister has given assurance to provide the funds from donor countries and implement this project by the end of this year, Minister also said.

Member of Parliament, Ariyanayagam Chandra Nehuru said that whatever development was undertaken, it should be useful to all communities." I am very happy to see the crowd of people participating from three communities together at this function today. Likewise, all should render their fullest support to foster the peace and harmony among all communities without any bias, he said.

Member of Parliament, Anver Ismail and H. M. M. Harees, Vice Chairman of the SLPA, M. H. Salman, REPPIA Co-ordinator, S. L. A. Rasheed, Private Secretary to Minister Rauff Hakeem, M. T. Hasan Ali and others also spoke.

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