Govt ushers development in North

Rafik JALALDEEN in Kilinochchi

The Government will construct a garment factory and provide 4,000 jobs for the youths in Kilinochchi. An office for Ministers will also be opened in Kilinochchi to discuss problems faced by the people of the North, Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said after opening the first Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Kilinochchi.

The VTC will provide six months courses in tailoring, Aluminium fitting, wiring and masonry. The youths will be given Rs 1,000 allowance during the training period.

The Deputy Minister said most of the youths wanted to join the tailoring course as it is considered the most demanding field in the area. After training at the VTC the youths will be referred to factories and companies in the South for practical training.

The Government will construct a garment factory in Kilinochchi next month which will open 2,000 employment opportunities for youths. The Youth Affairs Ministry requested to Northern Province Governor to provide two acres to build the garment factory. Another VTC will be opened for youths, he added. Namal Rajapaksa MP said the President has advised the newly-elected young Parliamentarians to visit the North and find out ways to help the people in the North to carry out development in the area.

A Ceylon Electricity Board office, a VTC and two Co-operative shops were opened in Kilinochchi by Namal Rajapaksa MP and Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando.

A free medical camp was also opened by Rajapaksa MP in Kanagapuram.

Over 200,000 fingerlings were given to the people living in Akkarayankulam to release in three tanks.

About 94 sports clubs from the Northern Province were given sports equipment yesterday in Kilinochchi.

The new bus service was launched from Kilinochchi to Ramanathapuram, Kilinochchi-Vishvamadu and Kilinochchi-Iskandapuram.

Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando and MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Duminda Gunawardena, Dilum Amunugama, Rohan Ratwatte, Arundika Fernando, Uditha Lokubandara and Northern Province Governor G.A. Chandrasiri were present.