Prime Minister to visit Jaffna to hand over multiple projects to public use

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, to hand over many high impact development projects to public use, and also to launch new projects and programs. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

The 10,000 Brick and Mortar Housing Program is currently being implemented under the 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 have 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 Myliddy DS Division and 20 houses in Karaveddy DS Division, totalling 220 houses, will be symbolically handed over for the use of beneficiaries, said National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy.

Myliddy Harbour development was initiated by the 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 upgrading 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 2.5 m depth of harbour basin, covering an area of 2.65 hectares, and dredging of 1 m 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, managers’ 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 Affairs, and covers a 3-storey building with furniture and facilities. This centre is expected to address psychological instabilities such as trauma, depression, and mental sufferings. The centre will be ready for beneficiary use early after the handing over.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is expected to visit the iconic Northern Cultural Centre 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 of 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 centre. This construction is nearing completion and regarded as one of the largest iconic cultural centres, which intends to support, rejuvenate and nurture the ancient cultural heritage of the Northern Province.

The Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs is also scheduled to visit and launch the Gurunagar Fishery Harbour which caters to over 6,000 fishermen. The launching of the Gurunagar Fishery Harbour will encompass the construction of the net mending hall, sorting hall, sales outlet, auction hall and a fuel storage at a cost of Rs. 58 million, which has been provided by the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe during his visit is expected to discuss and provide strategic guidance to the members of the District Development Committee in order to review the progress of the development projects implemented, said Sivagnanasothy.