President affirms economic relief for public servants after Thai Pongal

 President Ranil Wickremesinghe smiles in conversation with Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda during the Jaffna and Kilinochchi District Coordinating Committee meeting yesterday

•  Unveils economic plans and development strategies for Northern Province during his four-day visit to Jaffna 
• Directs to conclude all resettlement activities by 2025
• Instructs Lands Ministry officials to promptly address land-related issues in North
• Extends invitation to all MPs representing North to participate in development of both the region and the country
• Calls on diaspora to invest in Sri Lanka

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured yesterday that public servants would receive economic relief after the Thai Pongal celebration, indicating an extension of economic relief measures to the entire population with the stabilisation of the country’s economy. 

Speaking at the Jaffna and Kilinochchi District Coordinating Committee meeting during his four-day visit to Jaffna, he unveiled plans to elevate the economic growth rate to 3% by the end of this year, targeting a further increase to 5% in 2025. 

He said the issue of resettling displaced persons cannot continue and there should not be any displaced persons by 2025. He instructed the officials to draw up a plan to resettle all those displaced.

Wickremesinghe addressed various key areas, such as resettlement, education, health, land, fisheries, agriculture, and forest conservation during the meeting. He emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts for the development of the Northern Province and expressed commitment to transforming it into a prominent agricultural centre through modernisation. 

The President also highlighted the strategic focus on energy export, with Poonaryn envisioned as an energy centre, and indicated plans to secure energy resources in the north. 

Wickremesinghe directed officials to expedite land release in the Northern Province and announced a definitive decision on the required land for the Palali Airport and security forces by February. 

The President also instructed the Lands Ministry officials to address the land problem in the north promptly. 

He highlighted budget allocations for water schemes to resolve water problems in the north, along with the initiation of measures to disburse funds for previously executed water projects. 

The discussions covered a comprehensive review of ongoing development projects, plans and challenges in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts. Political authorities, government officials, and Members of Parliament representing the Northern Province actively participated in the meeting, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in expediting development. 

Wickremesinghe expressed his intention to invite the diaspora abroad to present proposals following the establishment of the new economic commission, focusing on opportunities in Sri Lanka. 

The President also noted the urgency of the situation concerning missing persons, directing officials to expedite the process and proposing contact with the missing person’s office for resolution within the next six months.

Highways and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, Northern Province Governor P.S.M. Charles, Members of Parliament Wajira Abeywardena and Dharmalingam Siddharn, Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Northern Provincial Presidential Coordinating Secretary M. Ilangovan, President Director General of Trade Unions Saman Ratnapriya, President Director General of Community Affairs Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, Jaffna District Secretary Ambalawa Siva Padasundaran, Kilinochchi District Secretary Pati Roopathy Ketheeswaran and other officials participated at the event.