GL in Jaffna, apprised of urgent needs

S Duraiswamy Jaffna spl cor

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris visited Jaffna on Friday. The minister visited the Jaffna Duraiappah Stadium, Jaffna Fort, Public Library, Columbuthurai Mahendrapura Housing Scheme and the Navatkuly Palmyrah Research Centre.

He also participated in a conference at the Jaffna Secretariat where he met civil society representatives and journalists.

The minister was apprised of the urgent needs of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the shortage of medical officers and nurses. He was told that there were only 300 medical officers while 500 were needed for the Jaffna district.

Civil society representatives briefed the minister about the problems they undergo due to power cuts. The minister also met Chinese officials engaged in development programmes in the district.