East prospering under civil rule

M.I. Farook, Batticaloa district group correspondent

It is appreciable that civil administration in the Eastern Province has been restored swiftly. The people of this area would have suffered a lot if terrorism had prevailed in the Province, North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a press conference held at the Batticaloa Municipal Council following the 25th Chief Minister's Conference. Eastern Province Chief Minister S. Chandrakanthan presided.

Dissanayake said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has good affection for the Tamil community that is why he appointed Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan as Chief Minister for the Eastern Province for the benefit of the Tamil speaking community.

"The Chief Minister for the Eastern Province toils hard for the betterment of the community with courage and enthusiasm.

The Eastern Province should be developed similar to other regions of the country, he said.

"As counterparts we would extend our fullest co-operation to Chief Minister Chandrakanthan, he said.

People of the country could enjoy peace and harmony now.

The Government has taken action to conduct the Provincial Elections in the Northern part of the country for the benefit of the people in the area.

A Chief Minister and Provincial Ministers would also be appointed," he said.

Eastern Province Chief Minister, S. Chandrakanthan said, the Chief Minister's meeting in Batticaloa was a historical event. We were able to share experiences and thoughts because of this conference.

We have discussed about the resources available in each region of the country. We have decided to make the most of the resources available in our district and provinces for the benefit of the people.

The problems that we face in the Eastern Province are not similar to those of other regions. The development activities in the Eastern Province should be expedited. Primary education in the Province would be improved systematically.

The 13th Amendment of the Constitution of Sri Lanka is very significant. This amendment provides many privileges and rights to the masses. We would discuss with the Government to obtain it for our people.

The vacancies available in the Eastern Provincial Council and local authorities would be filled soon, he said.