From the Tamil Press:

Rs 14m for Jaffna farmers to cultivate on 2,000 acres

M.P.Muttiah

[Benefits]

* Department to purchase Rs. 6 million worth seed-paddy

* Twenty two mobile laboratories for Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu district schools

Uva Provincial Council Minister Senthil Thondaman said that the responsibility of freeing upcountry youths from detention lies with the judiciary. The CWC would take all necessary steps to release these suspected youths. Many of them were arrested on suspicion while they were working in the outstations. They have been in detention for many years. Senthil Thondaman said that this matter was brought to the notice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the defense authorities.

The Agricultural Department in Jaffna said that Rs. 14 million has been given to farmers to cultivate paddy on 2000 acres of land which was released from the security zone in Jaffna. The Department would purchase Rs. 6 million worth seed-paddy and distribute it among the farmers. Education Deputy Minister M. Sachchithanandan says that steps have been taken to provide 22 mobile laboratories to schools in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. These schools were damaged during the war and now have been reconstructed. The preparatory arrangements are being done to open examination centres for GCE (O/L) students in welfare and rehabilitation centres.

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry has taken steps to hold a meeting of intelligentsia of Tamil diaspora to discuss the reconstruction of the North. TELO Secretary General P. Udayarasa said that it was necessary to strengthen the hands of friends by defeating reactionary forces.

Courtesy: Virakesari, Thinakkural, Sudar Oli and Thinakaran