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President launches several initiatives in Jaffna
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A series of events to transfer land rights to people in the north took place this week.
408 land deeds were granted to people of Jaffna as part of the Urumaya programme, which aims to provide land rights to 2 million individuals. President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the awarding of the deeds.
The President instructed officials to ensure the completion of the Urumaya freehold deeds programme by June.
The release of lands used by the Jaffna Security Force Headquarters was also conducted at the Palali Air Force Base.
Jaffna Commander Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe presented the official land release documents to President Ranil Wickremesinghe who handed over the documents to Jaffna District Governor Maradalingam Pradeepan.
As per the arrangement, 234 acres of land from 5 grama niladhari divisions in the Valikamam North were granted to the local public. These lands are intended for agricultural purposes in alignment with the government’s agricultural modernisation programme. As part of this initiative, seeds were also distributed by President Wickremesinghe.
“We have initiated the agriculture modernisation programme, selecting one divisional secretariat in each district for this purpose. In Jaffna, Kopai has been chosen. This initiative aims to modernise agriculture in the province, leading to increased income opportunities for its residents,” he said, speaking at the event.
“Around 2,600 acres of land previously held by the Navy have been returned to the use of civilians. 2,600 acres of land, encompassing both government and private holdings, formerly under the control of the Air Force, have been returned.
“Recent developments have seen the return of 101 acres of land to local communities, with an additional 234 acres being granted today.”
President Wickremesinghe also attended the opening ceremony of the new accident and emergency care unit of Point Pedro Base Hospital. There he underscored a concerning trend in the healthcare sector of Sri Lanka: the emigration rate among trained medical professionals.
He noted that approximately 30 to 40 out of every 100 doctors or nurses trained in the country opt to leave, a circumstance deemed unfavourable for the nation.
(Clockwise from top L) The President at the Farm to Gate launch, and at the release of lands. The Point Pedro Base Hospital improved with funding from the Netherlands
The president stressed that it is incumbent upon all individuals to enhance healthcare services within the nation, which boasts some of the world’s highest standards in medical care, and to actively contribute to the country’s economic prosperity.
Rs 4 billion was allocated through a Netherlands concessional loan scheme for the enhancement of Point Pedro Base Hospital’s infrastructure including Accident and Emergency unit (A&E), Preliminary Care Unit (PCU), Radiology Development (X-Ray, Ultrasound Scanner and CT Scanner), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Operation Theatres, Neonatal ICU, Premature Baby Care Unit (PBCU), Surgical Ward, Maternity Ward, Central Sterile Supply Division (CSSD) Dialysis Unit and Laboratory.
This facility was constructed as part of the Government of the Netherlands’ Development Related Infrastructure Investment Vehicle (DRIVE), relief loan scheme and vested in the public on Friday (22).
DRIVE is a subsidy programme established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands to support public infrastructure projects in developing countries.
The president stated that he has instructed the Sir John Kotalawana Defence University to augment its recruitment efforts to fulfill the requirements in medical and nursing fields. He underscored the importance of enhancing facilities to support training programmes.
The president engaged in discussions with hospital personnel, and extended tokens of appreciation to Sri Lanka’s Dutch Ambassador Bonnie Horbach and Managing Director of VAMED Paul de Bruin.
The inauguration of the ‘Farm to Gate’ web application, developed on the directives of Northern Province Governor P S M Charles also took place at Palali Air Force Base on Friday.This aims to empower farmers and small and medium enterprises across the country by providing access to broader markets, ensuring fair prices and benefits for their produce, and establishing direct connections between small-scale producers and consumers. This initiative is designed to eliminate the influence of intermediaries and strengthen the economic independence of farmers, gardeners, and small-scale entrepreneurs.
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