An important meeting was held between the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Andrew Patrick, at the Ministry (08th of July).
During the meeting, matters of importance to both parties, specially strengthening cooperation for the development of the Northern Province, were discussed extensively. The Minister highlighted the main focus of the new government on the development of the Northern Province.
The Minister explained a number of development projects which were currently in progress in the North:
Industrial Zones: New industrial zones to be established in Paranthan, Kankesanthurai, and Mankulam.
Factories: The Ottosudan factory, which was reopened after 35 years, and the Paranthan chemical factory, which is scheduled to be restarted.
Infrastructure: Construction of new roads in the North and the road from Vasavilan to Palaly beach junction, which was opened for public transport after 35 years.
Explaining the various development projects in this way, the Minister expressed his confidence that "a completely new Jaffna will be seen in a few more years."
Responding to the Minister's request that Britain's support and assistance are essential at this stage when Sri Lanka is rebuilding with stability, the High Commissioner stated that he would support to provide good market opportunities in Britain for Sri Lankan exports and to improve the education sector. He further stated that plans have been made for the Tamil diaspora to invest in the North and that a Tamil Member of Parliament in Britain has already held discussions on investments in the IT sector. Further, recalling his recent visit to Jaffna, the High Commissioner said that there are great opportunities to improve the tourism sector in the North.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner inquired even about the human rights condition in the Northern Province. As a response, the Minister pointed out that the Government of Sri Lanka respects human rights and it has allowed for independent investigations, without any interference specially in the Semmani incident. In addition, he emphasized that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Turk, who recently visited Sri Lanka, appreciated the Government’s efforts to promote human rights and national unity.
The meeting was attended even by Dr. B. K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.
