People of Jaffna throng 'Reawakening Carnival'
Defies LTTE boycott call:
Dharmasri Abeyrathne in Jaffna
JAFFNA: Large crowds thronged the Duraiappa stadium in Jaffna during
the last three days for the "Jaffna-reawakening" carnival, despite a
call by the LTTE to boycott the event.
Amidst 'The Voice of the Tigers' radio station airing repeated calls
to boycott the event more than 100,000 people attended the carnival
during the last three days organised jointly by the Army's 51st brigade
and the Jaffna Traders Association .
In addition to musical shows and sports events, the carnival also
included numerous outlets which provided consumers an opportunity to buy
essential food items at concessionary prices.
A number of other initiatives were also included to help students in
the area where 21 computers were provided to students who obtained
outstanding results at the recent GCE Ordinary Level examination.
Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda who
attended the event said the LTTE was trying to create dissension between
the public and Security Forces by spreading false rumours.
He said the Security Forces' efforts under the directions of Major
General G.A.Chandrasiri in the area was commendable. Their latest effort
under trying conditions to provide suitable entertainment and facilities
for the Jaffna population, denied to them under the tyranny of the LTTE,
was a step forward in ushering greater normality in the area, the
Minister said.
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