Development projects in Trincomalee

To co-incide with national Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations:

Rafik JALALDEEN

COLOMBO: The 2007 National Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations will held in Trincomalee district, centering Kinniya and Muttur.

Many development projects also to be started in the Trincomalee district to coincide with the celebrations, Cooperatives Minister M. Najeeb Abdul Majeed said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister in charge of Religious Affairs and Moral Uplift has officially declared that annual National Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations will be held in the Trincomalee District.

The Meelad-un-Nabi ceremony is celebrated by Muslims around the world to remember and mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal 12th.

Around Rs.100 million will be allocated to mark the Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations in the Trincomalee district.

The Inaugural ceremony will be held on April 1 and the grand ceremony will be held in August with the participation of President Rajapaksa and Ministers, Minister Majeed said.

"Trincomalee district has a substantial Muslim population. Many Muslim families were affected by the tsunami and the conflict. Many houses, schools, roads, mosques and markets were severely damaged in the tsunami.

The development programme in Trincomalee district will be launched with assistance of ministries, foreign countries and NGOs.

"The President has pledged to develop the Trincomalee district and provide a better and safe life for everyone," the Minister remarked.

The damaged schools and hospitals will be built with modern facilities. "The Kinniya district hospital will be converted to a base hospital with all modern facilities. It was funded by the Italian Government," the Minister said.

The French government pledge to fund Rs.6,700 million to reconstruct roads, water supply and electricity in the Trincomalee district. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia granted Rs.700 million to rebuild the tsunami affected bridges in Trincomalee.

The Italian Government allocated Rs. 320 million to reconstruct Thambalagamuwa road, he added. Minister Majeed further said the Government will undertake other projects in the Trincomalee districts such as a Chamber of Commerce and turning the Trincomalee harbour into an International harbour.

"There are several places in Trincomalee district which highlight Islamic ancient culture and history. These historical places also will be reconstructed during the Meelad-un-Nabi", the Minister added.

The Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department has allocated Rs.10 million to mark the Meelad-un-Nabi ceremony 2007 in Trincomalee.

"Our aim is to develop Trincomalee and its suburbs. Providing vocational opportunities to Muslim youths and reconstruction are our priorities," Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Al-Sheikh M.A.Ameer said.

He said with the word of "Meelad" (birth) many projects are to be initiated during the Meelad-un-Nabi ceremony. He said there will be many awareness programmes and other cultural events.

The first Meelad-un-Nabi celebration was held in Kinniya in 1964 with the participation of Sir Razick Fareed, Dr.Badiudeen Mohamed and Dr. Kaleel.

The Minister said a book will also be launched about the Muslims in Trincomalee.