Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Pooneryn Church reconstructed

To appreciate the enlightened leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave his might to eradicate terrorism and to mark his oaths taking for his second term of his Presidency the Pooneryn church was reconstructed, Social Service Minister Felix Perera said. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the church.

The Government rescued the country from terrorism, to create a peaceful land for all citizens. Not only for Sinhalese people. Now people can live in peace in this country, he said.

Presently Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim people can conduct their religious activities without any interference. The Northern and Eastern Provinces are developing rapidly.

Along with the physical development there should be spiritual development also, the Minister said. There are about 4,285 families with 14,654 individuals living in this area. This church serves an area of 488 square kilometers. The main livelihood of these people is fishery and agriculture.

Due to the conflict, people of the area lost their religious centre, the Pooneryn Church. Under the direction of Minister Perera the church has been rebuilt in one month.

Brigadier Channa Kodithuwakku coordinated this reconstruction program. The first religious service was conducted by Rev Fr B Brain and Rev Fr Canisins.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/11/news33.asp

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Jaffna News

CACM celebrates 200th anniversary

The Church of American Ceylon Mission celebrated the 200th anniversary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Ministry (ABCFM) at Manipay on November 6. A souvenir titled “Milestones of CACM” was released.

The educational literary and medical assistance heaped on our country by the American missionaries 200 years ago are evidences of the great sacrifices of the missionaries.

More than a thousand local and foreign delegates participated in the anniversary celebrations inspite of rain.


Compensation or alternative lands

Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando said steps are being taken to pay compensation or alternative lands for those who cannot be given back their lands in the High Security Zone. The Minister said steps are being taken to give back the lands in High Security Zones, but there are certain lands that cannot be given back for security reasons.

Referring to the Sinhalese families living at the Jaffna Railway Station, he said their problems are being looked into. “We have to analyse on what basis they were settled in Jaffna. I have called for a report from the Jaffna Government Agent. “After the Government Agent’s report is received I will have consultation with Minister Douglas Devananda and finally with the President to reach a decision,” he said.

Water purifying centres for Jaffna

Two giant water purifying centres will be installed in Jaffna to provide pure drinking water to Jaffna peninsula. This will be part of the Iranamadu pipe-borne water scheme. The water purifying centres are to be installed at Paranthan and Kilinochchi with Japanese technical assistance. As the purifying centres are to be located between Paranthan and Kilinochchi the water brought from Iranamadu tank will be doubly purified and taken to Jaffna through pipes. This water scheme is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 2.5 m. This scheme is funded by the World Bank and the Government.

German MPs impressed by Jaffna's unique beauty

The delegation of German MPs currently in Sri Lanka, headed to the North after a meeting with the Northern Province Governor Major General G A Chandrasiri. In the North, they visited the Cheddikulam Hospital which received financial assistance from the German Red Cross (DRK) and Menik Farm, where some of the projects had been funded by the German Organization, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund ASB.

Their visit besides included the Agromart (WHH) Resettlement project in Punkuditivu to which recovery assistance has been given for resettled families in Northern Sri Lanka by the German Federal Government. The delegates were warmly received by the Archbishop of Jaffna the Most Rev Dr Thomas Savundranayagam and Jaffna Urban Council Mayor Yogeswari Patgunarajah.

Germany on its part spends $ 15 million per year on resettlement and demining in the North.

The delegation in the meantime was very impressed by the unique beauty of the Jaffna peninsula. They noted that Jaffna has a huge potential to become an exciting destination for both Sri Lankan and foreign tourists. A prerequisite for this however is that travel restrictions for foreign tourists to the North must be removed.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/05/news22.asp

PAMP to promote Jaffna produce

The Central Bank, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC together with Bank of Ceylon launched a joint program to create markets for farmers from Jaffna recently. Central Bank Assistant Governor W M Karunaratne said under this Poverty Alleviation Microfinance Project (PAMP) there are around 18,000 families and nearly 3,000 groups.

The Central Bank has allocated Rs 3 billion which is a fund from JICA. They are planning to initiate the program soon in Mullataivu, Killinochchi and Mannar.

“We will first create a vision in these groups so that they will learn to work on a target” he said. They are also trained to save individually and in groups as savings are necessary in doing business.

With a minimum of Rs 100,000 and a maximum of Rs 200,000 personal loans are provided. The loans are given under trust with no guarantors.“However, it is important that the recovery of these loans are 100 percent.

Microfinance is an important segment which should be given more priority. Recognizing the importance the Central Bank is currently working on introducing a Microfinance Act”, he said. Skills, training and financial assistance is provided for traditional sweetmeat makers, palmyra Jarggery products, palmyra baskets, agriculture and also for those who are engaged in fisheries

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/08/bus02.asp

Second Jaffna International Trade Fair in January

The second Jaffna International Trade Fair 2011(JITF) is organised by Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd, a Presidential Award Winning Company in collaboration with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka.

The annual International Trade fair this year is themed as "Open for Business" due to the tremendous growth in Jaffna with the developments being implemented and is now ready for business. JITF is organised in association with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam supported by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau. JITF is scheduled to be held from 21-23 January 2011 at the Durayappah Stadium, Jaffna.

This landmark fair illuminates a turning point in the development of the North with the current re-building of infrastructure. The purpose of holding this fair once again is to strengthen and bridge trade links between the North and the rest of Sri Lanka. With the opening up of the main A9 highway re-linking the North and South, the revival of the Jaffna economy has gradually boomed. Jaffna, rapidly emerging as the major market for all industries, the exhibition will be the most comprehensive gateway for all sectors to come together and witness restructuring that is taking place in the North. JITF ensures the creation of a platform for entrepreneurs and manufacturers to build up their business relationships, by strengthening their connections. Companies can expand their businesses and will have an opportunity to analyse the market first hand. Jaffna is aggressively pursuing partnerships and business plans with the entire world as it is expected to dominate the world trade in the years to come.

Reflecting this optimism, the current trade fair invites a massive number of booths covering an extensive range of products and services across a wide section of industries such as building, construction, interiors, hospitality trade, processed food and agriculture, food and beverages, packaging, machinery, cosmetics and beauty products, electrical appliances, electronics, fabrics and garments, gifts and toys, glassware, handicrafts, hardware and tools, health and hygiene, home appliances, industrial products, sanitary ware, stationery etc. Adyapana-Kalvi Jaffna - Higher Education and Career exhibition series held in Colombo and Kandy has also taken a path to Jaffna. Concurrently held with JITF, Adyapana-Kalvi Jaffna will invite local, international institutes and universities to showcase the scope and demand in the education industry. Like previous years foreign delegation of exhibitors will be seeking maximum possible exposure due to the demand in the 'post war' scenario. The organisers are also planning to work together to have investor forums to develop Jaffna.

The Jaffna public's per capita income is exceptionally high as they are self sufficient in spite of getting a lot of foreign remittances from relatives. Interested in re-investing these funds JITF will best thread together the long awaited trade gap ensuring Jaffna to become a bustling centre for commerce in the country. With the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, and Banks opening up branches in Jaffna, JITF will be the driving force to re-unite the business community hailing from all parts of the Island. By being a part of JITF 2011, entrepreneurs can reach a large number of proportions of the growing Northern market in a short time span. Previously attracting over 30,000 visitors JITF has drawn in huge players in all industries with over 300 stalls from over 200 companies making it the first and largest exhibition hosted in Jaffna.

This year blue chip companies such as Diesel & Motor Engineering Plc and Ceylon Cold Stores have already come aboard JITF 2011 as valued sponsors. With literally hundreds of industrialists expected from all industries, visitors can see, try and build new business opportunities and fresh trade links expanding their spectrum for future development, all offered under one roof. To help MICE tourism the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau has looked at a convention and exhibition centre which is proposed to be built in Araly to host exhibitions of this magnitude. The organisers surely have proved in the past and are geared to host an exhibition of this magnitude in Jaffna.

This is a tremendous opening for anyone seeking opportunity in the North. Let JITF 2011 be your guide to a great time of trade when Jaffa is now 'Open for Business'

Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk

Bridge connecting Jaffna to mainland of Sri Lanka to be opened by the end of this year

Sri Lanka government has advised the construction company that is building the Sanguppidi Bridge, that connects Jaffna peninsula in Northern Province to the mainland at Pooneryn in a shortest distance, to hand over the bridge before November 20.

The Deputy Minister of Highways Nirmala Kothalawala said that the government expects to open the bridge for transport before the dawn of the next year.

Construction of the 288-meter long and 7.4-meter wide two-track bridge is 75 percent completed now.

The Pooneryn Bridge that connected the A-32 road from Mannar to Jaffna across the lagoon is the shortest land route to Jaffna from Colombo. The A-32 road is scores of kilometers shorter than the way through the main A-9 Jaffna-Kandy highway.

The Bridge is built at a cost of around Rs. one billion and the British government assists the project.

The Bridge was blasted by the Tamil Tiger rebels decades ago. Before its destruction, thousands of people used the bridge every day.