Jaffna District Development Council Meeting:

All political parties should jointly be present at PSC - Minister Devananda

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda chairing the Jaffna District Development Council Meeting held at the Government Agent's Office in Jaffna recently, said that all parties should present themselves at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for arriving at a permanent political solution for the Tamil speaking people.

The minister inquiring into the proceedings of the agricultural projects in the district, instructed the officials of the necessity of completing the projects successfully.

Directing his attention to the livestock development schemes, the minister instructed the concerned officials to explore the possibility of distributing among farmers, hybrid varieties of cows and goats to enable them to get a better return.

The minister looking into the water supply of the district, instructed the relevant officials of the Irrigation Department to take action to supply adequate water to areas where there are short supplies. The minister speaking on the poaching of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, said that action had already been taken by the government on this matter.

The District Development Committee fixed a special meeting to take place on November 1, 2012 to discuss the resettlement of IDPs in the High Security Zones and the occupation of the Army in lands belonging to the people. Instructing the officials of the Road Development Authority to quicken the road rehabilitation work, the minister specifically instructed them to take action to prevent road accidents taking place at the Iyakkachchi Junction on the A9 Road after completion of its work.

Murugesu Chandrakumar, Parliament Member Jaffna District speaking on the occasion said that due to the unfailing efforts of Minister Devananda, the resettlement of people was almost complete and the Army had assured to return the lands they occupy back to their rightful owners.

He also said that people now did not have the difficulties and obstacles they faced during the period of war and the resettlement of people in 21 Grama Niladhari divisions in Valikamam North had been completely effected.

In eight divisions half had been resettled. In this manner, resettlement of IDPs would be fully completed within a short period of time and the Opposition, without trying to gain petty political mileage over this issue, should extend their support to the resettlement process, he added.

It was also discussed at the meeting about permission for fishing for Thiruvadinilai and Chundikulam fishermen.

Sylvestri Alantin, MP for Jaffna District, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Governor of the North, TNA Parliament Members Vinayagamoorthy, Mavai Senadhirajah, Suresh Premachandran, Sridharan, Sumanthiran and the Jaffna Government Agent also participated at the meeting.