People of Jaffna will be given all facilities - Minister Basil

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa promised all facilities to the people of Jaffna to lead their lives peacefully in their original plots of land and homes.

He said this at the Mavadipuram Kandaswami Temple at a ceremony where nine Gramaniladhari Divisions in Valikamam North which were under the High Security Zone were handed over to the people by the Army on Monday, after clearing mines planted by terrorists.

Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Douglas Devananda and Jaffna Government Agent Emelda Sukumar at the event.

Addressing the gathering the Minister said he came to Jaffna with a special message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa where he promised he would give everything to the people in Jaffna except the lives lost.

The minister further stated that there are no Security Zones in any provinces and the entire country is one peace zone. He also stated there is no need for Security Zones as there are no enemies and everybody is united. Minister Rajapaksa also said that there were certain international elements acting in collaboration with some Tamil politicians to tarnish the country’s image.

He added that their hidden agendas prolonged the resettlement process. He added that although the President wanted to resettle the IDPs long before this, he could not do so due to certain groups who disrupted the process. He requested them not to prolong the resettlement process by being influenced by dollars.

The Minister further added that the beggars never wanted to see their wounds healed because they thrived lived on them. “In the same manner, some elements spend dollars to disturb peace in the country for their survival,” the Minister said. He also requested all those present to unite against anti Sri Lankan elements and preserve peace gained through sacrifices of war heroes and ordinary people of this country.

An officer of the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna said that the land extension was handed over to the public and the Divisional Secretariat will take steps to resettle the civilians who were original settlers in those lands.

He also said that around 12,274 civilians of 3,511 families have to be resettled in those nine Gramaniladhari Divisions. These civilians who have been displaced for 21 years will be resettled in their original homesteads.

The Gramaniladari Divisions that were released on Monday were Naguleshwaram, Thelippalai, Thanthaiselvapuram, Mavadipuram, Kadduwan West, Mavadipuram South and a part of Palai Vemankamam North and Palai Vemankamam South coming under the administration of Thelippalai Divisional Secretariat. Meanwhile, the remaining areas of Kolankallady were also handed over to the Government Agent by the Army. GA’s office will initiate the registration procedures in ascertaining the ownership of the lands.

Addressing the large gathering of civilians, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that there are some international elements acting in connivance of some Tamil politicians to tarnish the country’s image. He further said that their hidden agenda prolonged the resettlement process while they enjoy all the perks. Further, Minister said that lands held by the Security Forces will be handed back to people under the directives of the President. Similarly, lands held by the Army was released today.

Hindu priests, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda, Northern Province Governor Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri, Jaffna district TNA Parliamentarians, Commander SF-J Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Jaffna Government Agent Emelda Sukumar, General Officer Commanding 51 Division Maj. Gen. Janaka Walgama and Divisional Secretary Thelippalai S. Muralitharan were also present at the occasion.