Jathika Saviya begins in Batticaloa

Rasika SOMARATHNA

BATTICALOA: The "Jathika Saviya" accelerated development programme initiated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the twin objectives to uplift the living standards and provide adequate security to the villagers affected by the North-East conflict is set to debut in the Batticaloa district.

The programme is expected to critically analyse the issues relevant to the affected villagers with the intention of finding viable solutions to their problems. To address this purpose a forum was held with the participation of politicians, security and Government officials at the Divisional secretary's office in Batticaloa yesterday.

Issues pertaining to electricity, health, development of infrastructure, education, transport and housing for the displaced were discussed as priority issues. In addition shortcomings related to potable water, irrigation systems and problems relevant to the fishing community in the area were discussed.

The officials were advised to make immediate plans to address the above issues. In addition, they took immediate decisions to improve transport by adding additional carriages to trains plying in the area and five new buses to the CTB.

The committee also came up with proposals to immediately address the employee shortage in the hospitals and three radiograph machines were made available to the hospitals with the Eravur hospital getting a new wing to their children's unit.

The committee also decided to build 280 new houses for the displaced in the Ollikulam and Mullipuram areas. The grievances related to the displaced in the Rugama area since 1990 is also in the agenda as a priority issue.

To address the issue of teacher shortage the committee came to a decision to recruit 300 new teachers from the unemployed undergraduates in the area.

The "Muslim Aid" an NGO organisation pledged to fund several proposed housing schemes for affected villagers. The team also took a decision to recruit homeguards with the support of Security Forces, to strengthen the security network in the affected villagers.

The programme is to be coordinated by the District Secretary with the participation of all parties including security officials.

Batticaloa district TNA Parliamentarian K. Kanakasabey praised the Government's initiative to help the affected in the Batticaloa district.

"This is a golden opportunity for the people of Batticaloa. The efforts of the Government to empower the people in the area envisioned to development and human interest matters is praiseworthy. We all should contribute unreservedly towards this worthy cause," he said.