Monday, August 23, 2010

Jaffna Pooneryn to be promoted as a tourist resort area

A tourism promotion campaign is to be organized in the Jaffna Peninsula with the intention of developing Pooneryn as a tourist destination for the local tourists while developing the boat service between Jaffna and Pooneryn.

This measure was discussed at a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Governor, Northern Province, GA Chandrasiri at the Office of the Regional Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, Jaffna recently.
It was also stated that people who go to Jaffna would then visit Pooneryn on their way. The discussion at the meeting also centered on the Boat Service between Pooneryn and Jaffna, Development and renovation of historical and archeological sites, Sales Centres for local products like Palmyrah products with the assistance of Cooperative Societies.

Present at the discussion were Mr. T. Rasanayagam, Deputy Chief
Secretary – Provincial Public Administration, NP, Mrs. P. Sivalingam,
Regional Commissioner, Jaffna, Mrs. Mathumathi Vasanthakumar, Regional
Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, Jaffna, Mr. P. Vimalanatha
Sarma, Regional Assistant Commissioner of Local Government,
Kilinochchi, Mr. S. Ganesh, Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative
Development, Kilinochchi, Mr. S. Vasanthakumar, Assistant Government
Agent, Pooneryn, Representatives from Cooperative Societies and
Fishermen Societies in the Area.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Northern Province school children to go on an educational tour

The Northern Provincial Council will bear the total cost of sending a total of 500 school children in two batches of 250 each from the
Northern Province on an educational tour of Sri Lanka. These children are in the age of 14 to 18 years.
These students who have never been to any other part in Sri Lanka are expected to visit Anuradhapura, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Kataragama, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Trincomalee. They would be
accompanied by teachers and few parents.

On their return the students are expected to meet the Governor,Northern Province and brief him about the exposure they have had.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

ADB delegation to visit Jaffna

A team of Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials led by Vice-President, Ms. Schaefer-Preuss, is expected to visit Jaffna Thursday, sources in Jaffna said. The team will be supervising ADB development projects in Jaffna as well as meet several persons including Jaffna Government Agent. This is the first time that a high profile team of ADB visiting Jaffna as ADB representatives visiting Sri Lanka normally stop with Colombo and talks with Sri Lanka government representatives, the sources added.

Source - TamilNet

Sri Lanka former war zone economy transformation seen

Aug 20, 2010 (LBO) - Northern Sri Lanka, where education was highly valued before war retarded its growth, has potential to be transformed into a 'knowledge economy' from its traditional agrarian cum fisheries base, a statement said.
An open forum on 'Pathways to Knowledge-based Development' in northern Jaffna is being organised by the Point Pedro Institute of Development (PPID) in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).

The event is to be held on September 02, 2010 around the time of the traditional Nallur Hindu festival, the statement from the PPID said.

"The primary objective of this public conclave is to present submissions and debate the ways and means and costs and benefits of transforming the traditional agrarian cum fisheries economy of Jaffna and the north into a modern knowledge-based economy."

The event is purposefully organised during the time of the Nallur temple festival to tap the large number of people from around the country and abroad who visit Jaffna during this festive season.

Sri Lanka's north and east were wracked by ethnic strife for 30 years. The war ended in May 2009 resulting in an economic revival.

Devotees throng at Nallur Kovil in Jaffna

Tens of thousands of devotees had gathered in Jaffna to attend the opening ceremony of the Nallur Sri Kandaswami Temple festival, the biggest religious event in the Jaffna peninsula.

Police sources said that nearly a hundred thousand Hindus had attended the festivities and as hotels Jaffna hotels were unable to cope with the influx, warm-hearted residents of Jaffna from all faiths opened their doors to the pilgrims.

The annual Nallur Temple festival, which commenced on August 15, had in particular drawn devotees as far as from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, India and Australia, most from the Tamil diaspora who were unable to roam freely in the island during the thirty years of bloody civil war.

Hindus pay homage to Lord Murugan by way of offering flowers, burning incenses and coconuts amidst continuous recital of "Haro Haraa".

Nallur festival, lasting for 25 days will conclude with ‘Theertham’ (Water Cutting ceremony) on September 10, followed by the ‘Poonkavanam’ (ceremony of Eternal Bliss) held on the next day. ‘Ther procession’ is to be held on September 9.

- Asian Tribune -

Govt to return civilian lands in Jaffna - Defence Secretary

The civilian lands acquired for security purposes in the Jaffna peninsula would be reduced and would be given to owners while others whose lands have to be kept to maintain certain essential security establishments would be provided either compensation or alternative land, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said testifying before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission yesterday.

He said that the Government aims for a gradual reduction of its military presence in the former conflict affected North to be replaced by the Police.

However a certain amount of military presence in the area would be required, specially naval deployment, he added. The Defence Secretary also said that in the Vanni region all civilian land had been released and the Security Forces had redeployed certain military establishment. The Government property occupied by the military too have been released to relevant local civilian administrative authorities, he added.

Commenting on increasing the Police presence Secretary Rajapaksa noted that the Government had taken steps to recruit 500 new personnel from the North who were now undergoing training at the Kalutara Police Training School. In addition to increased recruitment Police personnel in the area are being provided with training in spoken Tamil, he added.

Giving a lengthy statement before the commission the Defence Secretary stated that most people today had forgotten that the Government had defeated the most ruthless terrorist organization ever.

"Specifically I want to inform you of the magnitude of the military strength they have acquired over the years. In 2005 when I took over as Secretary of Defence,specially the whole of Vanni area and part of the Eastern Province were under their complete control," he said.

Their weaponary collection was almost on par with the military. They had a naval force and air power in addition to ground troops. And special forces like the black tigers and suicide cadres. This is the LTTE that we defeated. It was not just a group of rebels. That's the extent of the strength of the LTTE.

The Secretary however lamented that some had not understood this true strength of the LTTE and their violent intentions.

The Defence Secretary on the occasion also submitted files containing detailed descriptions of all evidence he presented before the Commission.

Mangala Moonasinghe former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India and Nihal Rodrigo former Sri Lankas' Ambassador to China gave evidence before the Commission earlier in the day. It would be reconvened today.

Courtesy: Daily News

Large crowds at Nallur Kandasamy festival

Large crowds at festival

The Nallur Kandasamy Kovil festival has attracted crowds from Jaffna and outstations. Sinhalese pilgrims daily join the local crowds. Scouts and police have made arrangements to control the crowds.

Four hundred policemen are detailed to control the crowd, assist elderly persons regulate vehicles at the temple vehicle parks and prevent anti-social activities.

As devotees to the temple are increasing daily and will reach a climax on the chariot festival day, 600 policemen will be on duty on the Ther, Thirtham and Poonkavanam festivals.

A ban has been imposed on food cooked outside and brought for sale in the vicinity of the temple.

Tamil scholar honoured

Renowned scholar, Saiva preacher, writer and philanthropist, late

Jaffna special correspondent

Thangammah Apppakutty, who built the Tellipallai Drugai Amman Temple has been awarded the Mahara Yarl Award.

This award is given by the Jaffna Municipality Saiva Promotion Society annually to an eminent social worker in the province.

Warm welcome for Namal

Namal Rajapaksa MP was given a warm welcome when he visited Pooneryn Chelliyathivu Tamil School and opened the school name board. He was taken on procession from Pooneryn Junction to the school with nathaswara and drum music. Principal S Ambikaipakan garlanded the Parliamentarian followed by Education Director Kilinochchi and Zonal Assistant Director Dharmaratnam.

Rajapaksa hoisted the National and School Flags amidst the signing of the National and School Anthems. He planted a tree in memory of his first visit. The Principal enumerated the urgent needs of the school. Rajapaksa promised to fulfil the school's needs.

Source:DailyNews

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Jaffna to get three Vidatha Resource Centres

Jaffna to get three Vidatha Resource Centres

Dinesh DE ALWIS

The Technology and Research Ministry said three new Vidatha Resource Centres (VRC) will be opened in Jaffna Peninsula by the end of this year.

Eight VRCs have been established in Jaffna Peninsula. Over 1,000 youth have obtained computer knowledge through the Resource Centres and the Ministry hopes to double the beneficiaries within this year.

The objective of the VRCs is to transfer Computer Technology to rural villages and create job opportunities at village level to youth and to alleviate rural poverty.

Vidatha Centres also facilitate rural entrepreneurs in Jaffna who do not get proper technical knowledge. Vidatha Resources Centres supply technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs, Ministry sources said.

Ceremony to felicitate Bishop

Jaffna Special corr

Rev. Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam, a native of Passaiyoor, Jaffna who was consecrated as a Bishop in Pakistan is back in his native home. He served in Jaffna for seven years prior to his emigration to Pakistan. He had served as a priest in Pakistan for 37 years.

He is the first Bishop of Quetta.

Jaffna Catholics have arranged a grand function this week to felicitate him.

Ice plant factory in Vadamarachchi

Jaffna Special corr

Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda opened an ice plant factory at Polygandy, Vadamarachchi.

The production of ice came to a stop in the peninsula during the war.

Vadamarachchi fishermen will be able to send their catch to the Colombo market immediately with the production of ice.

Jaffna district Fisheries Assistant Commissioner, Jaffna and a Fisheries Department official attended the opening.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Egg a day to Jaffna children

A project to ensure at least an egg to a child of families in Jaffna affected by malnutrition will be implemented, Kumudu Wadugedara of the Civil Affairs and Public Relations office of the Jaffna peninsula said yesterday.

He said malnutrition among the students in the peninsula is acute. He added that the Government has given complete access to the people in the Peninsula to have contact with the outside world. State and private telecom companies are operating in the Jaffna district.

The Sri Lanka Telecom has provided more than 27,000 land connections and 150,000 mobile connections to customers in the Jaffna district.

Waduge was of the opinion that the agriculture sector in the peninsula will see an unprecedented development in the coming years with the removal of the ban on fertilizers.

He said the buffer zone has been cleared of mines to enable early resettlement. According to Wadugedara, Security Forces in the Jaffna peninsular have taken an enormous effort to ensure their early resettlement.

The buffer zone which was heavily dotted with landmines and booby traps have been cleared by the Army. He said the Security Forces have initiated a number of measures to uplift the living standards of the people and a backyard poultry project is in progress to eradicate malnutrition among the children in the peninsula.

He is of the opinion that the reintegration of ex LTTE combatants to society following rehabilitation is continuing and the rehabilitation drive will end by end of this year.

Over 132 out of 213 ex-male LTTE cadres underwent extensive rehabilitation and they were released to their parents while 49 out of 67 ex-female combatants were also released by the Security Forces after rehabilitation. He is hopeful that those remaining would be rehabilitated and handed over to their parents by the end of the year.

Source:Dailynews

Jaffna red onions in demand

There is an increase in the demand for Jaffna red onions. The number of Jaffna farmers involved in red onion cultivation has increased, Agriculture Extension Deputy Director, Jaffna, S. Sivakumar said.
Around 1,250 hectares have been cultivated with red onions in the Jaffna district. This is increasing gradually. Over 6000 farmers are cultivating red onion in Jaffna, he said.

Sivakumar said with the opening of the A-9 road, Jaffna's red onion harvest is reaching the South. There is a big demand for Jaffna red onions in the South," he said.

Farmers cultivate red onion during two seasons. Government provides assistance to red onion cultivators by providing land and irrigation facilities, the Deputy Director said. He said the local annual demand for red onion is 75,000 tons. The Agriculture Ministry will also produce red onion seeds in Jaffna and Vavuniya and encourage farmers to cultivate them.

Source:Dailynews

World class hospital in Jaffna soon

A fully fledged, 100-bed hospital of international standard named Northern Central Hospital is being launched in northern Jaffna as a Board of Investment (BOI) approved project, According to Dr. Keerthi Sri Edirisinghe, the consultant engaged in designing of the new venture, this will provide a boost to the medical sector in the region which is slow in moving into the north compared to other service sectors like banks, insuranceand finance companies.

He said the new project is the second stage of the expansion programme of the Central Nursing Home which is already in existence and has enjoyed great reputation from the Northern population for the past 30 years. Internationally trained nursing staff would be engaged on a round-the-clock duty roster at the hospital. The recruitment of trainee nursing staff is already in progress, he said.

Services would include Outpatients Department Service (OPD), Channeling, Cardiology, Neurology & Neurosurgical unit, Rehabilitation unit, Eye, ENT, Dental, Nephrology, Orthopedic, Plastic Surgery & Vascular, Maternity Home and other essentials such as Laboratory, CT scan, Nursing Home for Elders. Ambulance services to transport patients between the hospital and their homes would also be available. The construction of buildings for the new hospital commences this month and is expected to be completed within one year.

Source:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100815/BusinessTimes/bt50.html

Jaffna Roundup

Drastic drop in reading habit in Jaffna

The Jaffna Library authorities yesterday said that reading habit among the students in the peninsula has seen a drastic drop and less students are seen in the reading and reference sections of the library.

They stressed on a special program for the promotion of their reading habits with special emphasis on the English language.

According to Chief Librarian, Thanabalasingham, there were queues to obtain an opportunity to enter the reference section of the library in the past but that situation is no more there.

He added that the students only focus on tutorials which are related to their studies and get through the examinations. “They are not interested in book reading any more unless it does relate to their subjects in schools”, he added. Thanabalasingham who happened to be the first librarian after the library was reconstructed, added that the schools should be responsible for this pathetic situation. He stated that the teachers are in the habit of discouraging the students in the peninsula who read books which are not related to what they study in the schools.

He said that lack of English knowledge among the people in the Jaffna is an acute problem. Thanabalasingham added that English speaking people left the Jaffna after the war started and they did not return. Thanabalasingham stated that less students read English books now. “The students who read English books or speak in English are few.

The Jaffna Public Library was built in many stages and the major wing was opened by Former Jaffna mayor Alfred Duraiappa who was assassinated by the LTTE in 1976.

He added that the collection of books donated by the widow of former Communist Party stalwart Peter Keuneman to the library is of great importance and it attracts many readers.

Thanabalasingham said the readers pay special attention to these books which have been kept in the lending section of the library.

He is of the view that the IT department of the library needs more facilities and the latest technology should be introduced to it. “The Library needs more books related to technology which is advancing day by day. Thanabalasingham added that they have some books on technology which were printed 10-15 years ago and the library should have their updated versions.

Sixty one Sinhala students for Jaffna university

Measures have been taken to admit 61 Sinhala students to the Jaffna University for the academic year 2009/2010, University Registrar V. Kandeepan told the Daily News. Of them 15 students are for the Law Faculty and 14 for the Medical Faculty, he said. The Jaffna University is a pioneer in the Medicine and Agricultural fields in Sri Lanka over last four decades. About 5000 Tamils, Muslims and Sinhala students are studying in harmony in six faculties.

Novel machine introduced
A novel machine to extract palmyrah fruit juice from the fruits has been introduced at the Palmyrah Development Society Katpakam on Kandy Road, Jaffna. The cost of this machine is Rs one lakh twenty seven thousand.

The palmyrah development society has purchased six machine. At a time it can extract juice from palmyrah fruit weighing thirty kilos in fifteen to twenty minutes.

With the extraction of palmyrah juice palmyrah jam, palmyrah cake and various other food items will be produced in abundance for sale in and out of Jaffna.

Request to rename road

The Old Boys Association of Parameshwara College, Tinnavelly now the University of Jaffna had made a request to the Jaffna Mayor to name the road that leads from Parameswara College junction to Jaffna Kankesanthurai Road as Sir P. Ramanathan road. They say that some of the present generation even the Jaffna University students are unaware that the Jaffna University was the former Parameswara College founded by the philanthrophist Sir P Ramanathan and donated to the university.

The Mayor should take steps to name the road as Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan Road in honour of the Philanthropist, they say.

Source:DailyNews

Monday, August 9, 2010

Jaffna Catholics honour priests on their Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee

The Jaffna catholics honoured two of their priests celebrating their Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee last week.

Rev Fr Jero Selvanayagam of Karampon, Kayts and Rev Fr J P Jesuthasan of Soorawatte, Illavalai reached the climax of priesthood and donned the mantle of educational excellence as Rector, St. Patrick's College, Jaffna and St Henry's College, Illavallai respectively.

The students, teachers, old boys and parents congregated at the college hall to participate in religious events to bless Father Jero.

Rev Fr Jero had his secondary education at St Anthony's College Kayts and at St Patrick's College, Jaffna. After a brief pastoral experience he joined St Patrick's as Vice Principal.

Rev Fr Jesuthasan who is now the Rector St Henry's College Illavalai raised St Anthony's College Kayts from the devastation of ethnic war.

The college has been built anew during his rectorship.

The Illavalai Catholic and Hindu community felicitated him at St Henry's College hall at a function presided by Rev Fr Gnanapragasam Emeritus Rector St Henry's college Illavalai and Vicar General Jaffna.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/08/10/news51.asp

More Jaffna farmers take to grape cultivation

A better market have been created for grape farmers in Jaffna, with the opening of the A-9 road, Agriculture (Extension) Deputy Director Jaffna, S.Sivakumar said.

He said there were 52 hectares cultivated with grapes in Jaffna in 2009 and farmers have now cultivated 56 hectares and the cultivated area increases gradually.

Though there are other grapes growing districts in Sri Lanka, Jaffna is the only district growing the fruit on a commercial basis, he said.

There are 400 farmers cultivating grapes in Jaffna and because of the big demand farmers who gave up cultivation have resumed cultivation of grapes, Sivakumar said. "Farmers cultivate grapes during two seasons. The main season is August-September and the other is January-February. Consumers expect the same quality as grapes imported from Australia. Australian grapes are more sweeter and seedless. We have introduced more sweeter grape varieties namely Cardinal and Israel Blue for farmers engaged in grape cultivation in Jaffna," the Deputy Director said.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/08/10/news35.asp

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Sri Lanka - Boat service from Pooneryn to Jaffna

A public boat service with all facilities from Pooneryn to Jaffna commenced yesterday (Aug 03), under the directive of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development.

Several boats deployed under this project will operate from Pooneryn to Guru Nagar, Maniyathottam. The Transport Board of the Northern Province will take action to start a bus service from Maniyathottam to Jaffna town the same time when boats arrive to at the boat house so that people can travel to Jaffna without any delays.

This project was initiated as a result of a complaint from the people who earlier travelled in the boats which did not have enough facilities. The only alternative they had to reach Jaffna was to travel approximately 100km along the A-35 road which has many obstacles due to terrorist activities. With this boat service people can now travel to Jaffna in one hour without any delay.

Source:http://www.isria.com/pages/4_August_2010_144.php