North, a region of national importance - MP Namal

'Committed to develop Northern villages':

Chitraratne Kaluarachchi- Hidogama Group Corr.

We are fully committed to develop the villages in the Northern Province which is a region of great national significance, said Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa.

Launching Namalgama

He was addressing a meeting after attending a programme to develop the resettlement villages of Kokeliya, Agbopura and Bogaswewa in Vavuniya on February 11. He said President Rajapaksa and the security forces had now set the stage for people to live in peace and security and enjoy their freedom in the Northern villages which were destroyed by the LTTE terrorists in the past.

"It is the duty of all to protect the nation which was liberated by the War Heroes by sacrificing their lives. Today, a massive development programme is underway in these areas on the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa," he said. On President's directions, Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian Shehan Semasinghe had been assigned to co-ordinate the resettlement programme in Welioya, Kokeliya, Agbopura and Bogaswewa.

"Semasinghe is a young Parliamentarian with the ability to work hard in close co-operation with the people in these areas. As residents of these areas, you have a duty and responsibility to protect and develop your region," MP Rajapaksa said.

He said: "Today new hospitals and dispensaries are being built to provide healthcare to the resettled people. We laid the foundation stone for the Mahinda Rajapaksa National School. Very soon opportunities will be given to 3,000 students to gain education in it in all three languages."

"The new school is built in the native village of Education Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne," he added. MP Rajapaksa further said he also observed a bigger attendance of people at meetings he addressed in the North than meetings in the South and this was a most noteworthy feature.

A section of the gathering including Lake House Director Editorial Seelaratne Senarath. Picture by Hidogama Group Corr.

Temples would be set up at all the 11 venues where Buddha statues were installed on that day to help build a disciplined child generation rich in moral and spiritual values. Once these villages were developed it would automatically help the overall development of the region to bring back the past glory to these areas, he said. MP Rajapaksa participated in a series of development programme which included the laying of foundation stones for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trilingual National School, installation of Buddha statues at 11 venues, launching Namalgama, opening a co-operative outlet, initiating a programme to install electric posts for the supply of electricity covering a distance of 18 km and distribution of coconut seedlings, bicycles, wheel-chairs and clutches, schoolbooks and bags, cement, zinc roofing sheets and other building materials.

The entire region was decorated with Buddhist flags and lotuses. Parliamentarian Shehan Semasinghe, Vavuniya SLPF Chief Organiser Premaratne Sumathipala, Lake House Director Editorial Seelaratne Senarath, Education Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne, Major General Boniface Perera, Presidential Task Force Secretary S. B. Divaratne, Anuradhapura GA Mahinda Seneviratne, Vavuniya GA Bandula Harischandra and Rambewa DS E. R. Tillekaratne and other officials were present on the occasion.