Govt. interventions in Jaffna district

The Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs yesterday announced that the Government has undertaken a series of major interventions in the Jaffna district. 

Handing over of housing program at Kallundaai Village at Sandilipay DS Division

As a priority intervention, the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs is rapidly implementing 10,000 Brick and Mortar type housing program with the funding of Government for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugee Returnees in the conflict affected Northern and Eastern Provinces. 

Of the 10,000 houses, 2,945 houses are being allocated and constructed in Jaffna District with the fund allocation of Rs. 2,945 million. 

“Out of which, the construction of 80 cluster housing units at a cost of Rs. 80 million were completed at Kallundaai Village in Sandilipay Divisional Secretariat Division and handed over for public use,” said Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy, who participated as the Chief Guest for the above event. 

The Kallundaai Village is being developed and transformed into a Model Village with the swift construction of internal access roads and street light facilities, provision of electricity connections, provision of water supply connection, and establishment of Youth Services Council. Rs. 80 million has been allocated for the housing program and Rs. 50 million has been allocated for the establishment of the Youth Services Council totalling to Rs. 130 million. 

District Secretary N. Vethanayahan, Additional District Secretary S. Muralitharan, Vali Southwest Sandilipay Divisional Secretary Uthayakumar Yasotha and beneficiaries were present at this event. Furthermore, the Ministry Secretary also visited the construction of 53 cluster houses under the housing program in Uduvil DS Division.

The launching of iRoads Project

The 30-year-old conflict severely damaged the roads including rural/interior and the upgrade and maintenance was neglected for a very long period. In order to address this urgent and important issue, with the funding facility of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) the iRoads project was ceremoniously launched. 

Under this high priority project, total of 17 road packages (343 roads/approximately 1,034 km) in the Northern Province comprised of Road Development Roads (RDA), Road Development Department (RDD) and Pradeshiya Sabha roads are to be rehabilitated and reconstructed at a cost of Rs. 51,000 million. 

Under the five selected road packages in Jaffna District, 128 roads (273.24 km) are to be rehabilitated at a total cost of Rs. 15,000 million. Of this, three roads namely, Settiyarmadam-Chankanai-Pirampaththai road (6.58 km), Pannalai-Keerimalai road (4.12 km) and Elaalai-Kadduvan road (2.69 km) were ceremoniously commenced. 

V. Sivagnanasothy graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while RDA Chairman N.R. Sooriyarachchi, Project Director Jenn-ifer Weerakoon, N. Vetha-nayahan, S. Muralitharan, Provincial Project Director Vadhanakumar, RDA Provincial Director G.J.D. Croos, RDD Director Eng. S.P. Sivanesan, Divisional Secretary Valikamam West Premini Ponnampalam, and Valikamam North Tellipalai Divisional Secretary Shanmugarajah Sivasri attended the event.

Passenger boat services from Kayts to Eluvaitivu and Analaitivu – Handing over of Elutharakai Passenger Boat

For reliable sea way transportation from the islands to the mainland for various commercial and non-commercial purposes in Jaffna District, with the funding of the Ministry, ‘Elutharakai’ Passenger Boat has been designed and constructed at a cost of Rs. 137 million to ensure safety means of sea way transportation of passengers and goods from Kayts to Eluvaitivu and Analaitivu was officially handed over by V. Sivagnanasothy to the Divisional Secretary of Kayts through the District Secretariat, Jaffna.

This technologically advanced passenger boat is able to accommodate over 100 passengers in a reliable manner. With this major intervention, it is expected that the ‘Elutharakai’ passenger boat service will enhance the connectivity among the islands and the mainland thereby subsequently fostering the economy of the islands and the living standards of the people, said Sivagnanasothy. 

S. Muralitharan, Kayts Divisional Secretary Manchuladevi Satheesan, including Director Planning, Assistant Director Planning and the general public were present at the handing over event.