Maithri visits Jaffna; says either north or south no difference when redressing grievances of people

Wednesday, 4 March 2015 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chairs Northern Province Coordinating meeting in Jaffna District Secretariat
President says resolving Northern Province land issues top priority
Pleased with appointment of civil servant as Northern Province Governor

President Maithripala Sirisena mingles with Northern Provincial Councillors yesterday in Jaffna – Pic by Sudath Silva

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that the Government was fully committed to resolving issues without differentiating between people from the South and the North. During remarks when he chaired the Northern Province Coordinating meeting in Jaffna District Secretariat, Sirisena said: “Everyone should work in a spirit of brotherhood irrespective of differences. The task of bringing together the minds of the people cannot be achieved only through physical development. It is this Government’s hope to bridge the North and South through friendship and understanding.” Attention was also drawn to issues relating to health, agriculture, land, fishing and education in the Northern Province during the discussion. “Resolving land issues in the area is one of the priorities of the Government. Handing over lands utilised for security purposes to their original owners is an initial step taken in this direction. I discussed the fishing issue with the Indian Prime Minister during my visit to India and it is expected to be resolved through negotiations. I will pay more attention to the problems faced by farmers in the Northern Province who contribute greatly to the Gross Domestic Product. The Government is expected to formulate special clean drinking water supply projects in the future as a solution to the drinking water issue. The Government has also given distinct attention to providing job opportunities to unemployed graduates in the country,” President Sirisena said. During the visit the Governor of the Northern Province, H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, informed the President of the difficulties faced by hospitals in the Northern Province. The President said, as a former Health Minister, he had wide knowledge about the difficulties faced by hospitals and would take prompt action to solve the issue. “I am very glad that our Government was able to appoint a civil servant as the Governor of the Northern Province, which was a long-term request by the people in the North,” the President said. All the required facilities would be provided to the administration in the North, he added. President Sirisena, who was making his maiden visit to Jaffna after assuming office, was warmly received by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran.