Funds for Co-op Society

Traditional Industries and Small Industries Development Minister Douglas Devananda donated Rs 94,000 to the Karaveddy Vathiri Leatherware Development Cooperative Society to pay workers’ wages.

The society receives Rs 94,000 every month to cover the overhead expenses.

This co-operative society manufactures footware of high quality and sell them with a little profit. They have now begun manufacturing rubber footwear.

The Minister assured them financial help to develop their industries.

Development programs in Jaffna

Government Agent, Jaffna Ilmeda Sukumar had drawn up several development programs to resuscitate the economic status of the people of Jaffna.

The development programs centre round the resettlement of the displaced people, infrastructure, development of human resources, demining, agriculture, fishing industry, electricity, supply of drinking water, renovation of bridges and roads and highways expansion.

Sukumar said Rs 18,698 million is needed for these projects.

A five-year plan has been drawn to implement these programs.

“Nineteen thousand families will have to be resettled. We need 60,000 houses for their occupation. Next year, 1,648 projects at a cost of Rs 18,698 million will be undertaken,” she said. “Highways in Jaffna are in a dilapidated condition. They will have to be rehabilitated. The demining works have not been completed. It will take 10 years to complete them. Nearly 19,000 families will have to be resettled in Jaffna. Most will be resettled in Tellipallai Pradeshiya area. Education, health housing and water supply for resettlers will have to be looked into,” Sukumar said.

Second robbery in Chankanai

A second robbery has taken place at Chankanai after a robbery and murder at Chankanai Murugamoorthy kovil’s Chief Priest’s house a week ago.

The robbers had stolen 15 sovereigns, Thalikoddy and gold jewellery after threatening the couple with a rifle. Chankanai police are investigating.

Facelift for roads

Several highways in Jaffna will get a face-life with Chinese Government help, said Jaffna Government Agent Ilmeda Sukumar.

The highways are Jaffna-Palaly road 17.31 km, Jaffna-Point Pedro road 34.15 km, Puttur-Meesalai road 13.88 km and Jaffna-Kankesanthurai road 18.49 km. Small roads less than three kilometres like Ponnalai-Point Pedro road, Chundukuli-Colombuthurai road, Navanthurai-Oddumadam road and Sangiliyan Thoppu-Chemani road will also be rehabilitated.

Watery grave for boy

A six-year-old boy drowned in a well at Thunnalai Point Pedro when he accidentally slipped into a well while drawing water.

Point Pedro Magistrate Joy Mahil Mahadeva held the inquest and recorded a verdict of accidental drowning.

Jaffna celebrates Christmas

Christmas was celebrated in Jaffna with Holy Mass at St Mary’s Church Passaiyoor St Anthony’s Church, Columbuthurai Sebamalai Maths Church and Manipay St Anthony’s Church. Jaffna Bishop Dr Thomas Saundranayagam held the midnight Holy Mass at St Mary’s Church. Holy Mass in other churches were held by the respective Parish Priests.

At Vaddukoddai, Bishop of the Church of South India Jaffna Dosease Rt Rev Dr Daniel Thiyagarajah held the midnight mass at the Vaddukoddai Church.