Minister promises solutions to Jaffna Natamis' woes

JAFFNA: Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devanada told the Jaffna Natami Union that their problems will be solved soon.

He said so when the Jaffna Natami Union numbering more than 100 met him at his Ministerial office in Jaffna last week, and placed before him the problems they face due to the situation in the Jaffna peninsula.

They informed the Minister about the difficulties they experience due to the lack of any form of employment and expressed their gratitude to the Minister for the financial grants extended to them by him on earlier occasions when they were subjected to similar conditions.

Devananda informed the Union representatives that he would take steps to grant them relief measures until conditions for employment in the peninsula improve and said the ferry service intended to be launched from Jaffna to Thalaimannar via Kurikattuwan in the near future would, to a great extent solve their unemployment problem.

Plans have already been made to import essential food items from India and the situation in Jaffna would gradually return to normal, providing more employment opportunities to them, Devananda said.

Meanwhile, State employees in Jaffna peninsula and serving in other parts of the country have requested the Minister to help them get transfers to the Jaffna District.

The Government servants visiting the Ministerial office in Jaffna have often sought the Minister's assistance for transfers.

The Minister called for particulars from the authorities regarding the availability of vacancies in Jaffna peninsula in various Government Institutions and the vacancies that would be created in the event of effecting the transfers requested, from the other areas. The Minister informed the Government employees that their requests would be looked into no sooner he receives the information called for.