Community Development projects to mark National Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations

SEVERAL community development projects in connection with this year's National Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations scheduled to be held in the Vanni district in August 2005, were inaugurated by Minister of Rehabilitation and District Development (Vanni), Rishad Bathiudeen in Musali Divisional Secretariat Division of the Mannar district last weekend.

The main function of the Meelad celebration is scheduled to take place in Musali, predominantly Muslim area in the Mannar district. These projects are aimed at developing the Vanni district, a Ministry release said.

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function at the Musali Maha Vidyalaya, the Minister paid a tribute to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for accepting his request to hold this year's Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations in the Vanni and the responsibility was bestowed upon his Ministry.

He said this was a great opportunity for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for resettlement in their places of origin.

Bathiudeen said the President has released Rs. 75 million from the Presidential Fund for the celebrations.

He said this allocation would be spent for several community development projects to assist IDPs for their resettlement program to coincide with the celebrations in August 2005.

Underlining the importance of the IPDs resettlement programme, Bathiudeen said several projects including housing, cultural centres, rehabilitation of roadways, irrigation tanks, mosques and school buildings would be undertaken under the Meelad program to benefit the IDPs.

He said in addition to the President's allocation, several line Ministries and International Funding Organisations have agreed to assist in these projects.

The Minister laid the foundation stone for a Meelad pavilion and parapet wall for Musali Muslim Maha Vidyalaya and followed by a parapet wall for Pandaraweli Muslim Maha Vidyalaya.

He also inaugurated the rehabilitation of Ahathi-Murippu (Canal) Tank, the second largest in the Mannar District that irrigates over 1500 acres. The largest tank in the district is Giant Tank that provides irrigational facilities to over 5000 acres.

Bathiudeen held a series of discussions with officials in connection with the de-mining operations at Silavathurai and Kondachchi areas and requested to expedite the de-mining process to carry out the resettlement program smoothly and effectively.

He also instructed high-ranking officials and authorities to effectively involve in the development projects and complete within the targeted time schedule.

Former MP for Vanni N.M. Iyub reminded of the cordial relationship that existed between the Muslims and Tamils in the past in the Vanni district.

He said having realised the mistake committed by the LTTE by driving the Muslims out of their native places in the North in 1990, the LTTE have now extended their willingness and cooperation to return back to their (Muslim) traditional land. This, he said, would pave the way for Muslims to re-unite with the Tamils as in the past.

Mannar District Government Agent, V. Visuvalingam said he would make all possible arrangements with the assistance of Bathiudeen for the resettlement of Muslims in the Mannar district since he knew the problem and has over 10 years of experience as Assistant Government Agent and Government Agent in the district.

Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department Director, M.I. Ameer said Bathiudeen was able to obtain Rs. 75 million for this year's National Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations, which was the biggest amount ever granted for the celebrations.

He recalled that late SLMC Leader M.H.M. Ashraff was the first to obtain Rs. 50 million for the celebrations at Addalachenai in the Ampara district during President Kumaratunga's regime.

National Equipment and Machinery Organization (NEMO) Chairman M.I.Mohamed Anver said NEMO has released one bulldozer for jungle clearing in the district and assured that two more bulldozers would be released soon. NEMO's branch office would also be set up in Murunkan.

Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Ministry Secretary M.S. Jayasinghe, Rehabilitation and District Development (Vanni) Ministry Secretary A.C.M. Razik, Musali Divisional Secretary, C.A. Chandriah and Parish Priest Rev. Marcus also spoke.