PM scheduled to visit Jaffna, projects to be vested with the public

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs is scheduled to visit the Jaffna District shortly where high impact development projects will be vested with the public while new projects and programmes will be launched, a statement from his office said.

The 10,000 Brick and MortarHousing Programme which is currently being implemented under Owner-Driven modality of which already 4,750 are constructed. Of these 2,565 houses(at a unit cost of Rs.1 million)amounting to Rs.2,565 million has been allocated to the Jaffna District by the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.

“ Out of 2,565 housing units 1,500 houses have been already completed. 200 houses in MyliddyDS Division and 20 houses in KaraveddyDS Division totaling 220 houses will be symbolically handed over for the use of beneficiaries,” said Mr. V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary to the ministry. 

Myliddy Harbour development was initiated by Prime Minister through a Cabinet Memorandum and has been rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of Rs.150 million under Phase I funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Irrigation and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development. 

The upgradation of the harbour includes; Rs.50 million Quay Wall Development, net mending halls, fuel stations, water sump and water tank development, toilet blocks and dredging of 2.5m depth of harbor basin covering an area of 2.65 Hectares and dredging of 1m depth covering 1.5 Hectares have been successfully completed.The Phase I development is scheduled to be handed over to the use of fishing communities.

Furthermore,Phase II development includes rehabilitation of 200 m length of motorable breakwater, an auction hall, administrative building, coast guard office, mangers’ quarters and other facilities are expected to be commenced early.

The Healing Centre in Chavakachcheri was completed at a cost of Rs.30 million under the funding of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairsand covers a 3 storey building with furniture and facilities. This center is expected to address psychological instabilities such as trauma, depression and mental sufferings. The center will be ready for beneficiary use early after the handing over.

Moreover, the Prime Minister is expected to visit the iconic Northern Cultural Center in Jaffna supported by the generous grant assistance of the Government of India at a cost of Rs.1800 million. This project is being executed by the Ministry National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.

This is a 12 storey building having the facilities of an auditorium, museum, floating stage, display gallery and institutional wing including a language lab and an aesthetic center. This construction is nearing completion and regarded as one of the largest iconic cultural centers which intends to support, rejuvenate and nurture the ancient cultural heritage of the Northern Province.