Singaporean Investors due here on fact finding mission

New chapter full of promise in Lanka today - Singaporean FM

Rasika Somarathna in Jaffna

The end of the conflict in Sri Lanka has opened a whole new chapter full of promise, visiting Singaporean envoy George Yeo said on Saturday, referring to the country’s potential and the efforts made by local authorities to develop the former conflict-affected areas in the North and East.

He made these comments after visiting several areas in Jaffna, Mannar and Trincomalee, along with a team of Singaporean officials and their media on Saturday to witness the on-going resettlement, rehabilitation and development work. The Singaporean Foreign Minister commended the efforts undertaken by officials to clear landmines, resettle the IDPs and develop the infrastructure.

Yeo said that the Singaporean Government would help Sri Lanka in its post-conflict development efforts in accordance with their capacity.

A team of Singaporean investors too would visit the country shortly on a fact finding mission, he added. During a visit to the Jaffna Library Yeo donated over 500 books as a token of friendship.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said he was glad to see the well equipped Library which was burnt down more than two decades ago rising from its own ashes like the mythical bird Phoenix.

Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda who received the delegates at the Library said the people of Jaffna had gone through a difficult period due to the conflict but now was on the threshold of a new era. He urged the Singaporean Government to lend their expertise to further develop the education sector in the peninsula with emphasis on the IT field.

From there, the team made a brief stop at the historical Nallur Hindu temple where both Minister Devananda and the visiting envoy engaged in the traditional coconut breaking religious exercise.

The team also visited the Kopai IDP Welfare Centre to witness the facilities available to them. Later the Singaporean delegation along with Minister Devananda and Government officials in the area met Northern Governor Major General (retd.) G.A.Chandrasiri.

In the morning, the visiting delegates witnessed the ongoing development and de-mining efforts in Mannar. They visited the famous giant tank and Mannar rice bowl areas.

They were briefed by Major General Kamal Guneratne on the on-going efforts.

Later the delegates visited Trincomalee where Eastern Governor Rear Admiral (retd.) Mohan Wijewickrema explained the efforts undertaken by authorities to develop the province.

He explained that under the Negenahira Navodaya program unprecedented development was taking place in the province.

The team also went through a guided tour of the Prima Flour Factory in Trincomalee.

The visiting delegates also praised the local Foreign Ministry officials who organized the tour and the professionalism they displayed during the visit.