Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sinhala students welcomed in Jaffna varsity

Colombo: Endorsing the high standard of education maintained by the Tamil dominated Jaffna university, the post LTTE era has witnessed a large enrolment of Sinhala students for the first time in 30 years.

"For the first time in 30 years, a large number of students are entering the Jaffna University from the South (Sri Lanka). Some of them have even entered from remote areas in the South", Senior Co-ordinator of Civil Affairs in Jaffna, Major Lal Nanayakkara said.


Seventy-two students from the South who gained admission to the University of Jaffna were given a rousing welcome and not ragged by the senior students of the university.

Nanayakkara said the University of Jaffna has an unblemished history with regard to its functions, the state run 'Sunday Observer' said.

Even during the height of the turbulent days in the North, the activities of the University of Jaffna continued uninterrupted, it said.

The students from the South are entering in all Faculties including Medical, Law and Management Faculties of the University.

Senior students of the University have organised a series of programmes to make the freshers from the South comfortable in Jaffna.


A sight-seeing tour has been organised by the Jaffna Law Faculty Students to tour important areas in Jaffna.

A cultural event was also organised by the Faculty of Law students to greet the newcomers.

The students from the South who gained admission to the Jaffna University have been accommodated at the University Hostels.

Sinhala students first entered the University of Jaffna, the newspaper said.

It was opened by the late Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike in 1975.

As many as 72 students including Muslims have entered the Jaffna University from the South after peace dawned in the region, Nanayakkara said.

PTI

Source:http://www.zeenews.com/news665093.html

Atchchuvely Industrial Zone first major development in Jaffna

The first major industrial development project will kick start in the Jaffna peninsula shortly when the 65 acre Industrial estate in Atchuvely will be developed bilaterally by the Government of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Indian government with the view of entrepreneurs to commence their business ventures and generate economic growth and the livelihood development in the area said the Minister for Traditional Industries and enterprise development Douglas Devananda.

The Estate which is situated at Atchuvely has two access roads one, from the Chankanai and the other from the Navakkiri and is a central to the peninsula's access points such as to Jaffna.It is onlt 10 miles, Palaly Road a 12.20 miles, Palaly Airport 4 miles, Kankesanturai Harbour & station only 8 miles, Point Pedro Harbour 10 miles whilst to the Chunnakam Railway station a just 6 miles making it central to the development agenda of the Small and Medium sector industries of Sri Lanka. The infrastructure facilities will be developed by the Industrial Development Board and Board of Investment. In 1983 there were 745 industrial SMEs in Jaffna but during the war times it reduced to a meager 34 whilst the fisheries sector the daily catch of fish exceeded 40,000 metric tons in the 1990's during war times it receded to just 12000 MT but now one year post liberalization the economy had doubles in value over two hundred company's operate out of Jaffna whilst the fish catch has once again touched the previous highs with relaxation of farming to the 4000 fishermen who's only livelihood was stunted for decades due to the war.

In the first phase of the development template 25 acres will be developed with four large apparel comoany's wanting to operate with an investment of 3 million dollars each.

There after almost 48 Small and Medium Enterprises are very keen to develop their business that includes the famous Nelli crush company Varadha said Minister Devananda.

The industrial zone was operational in 1971 and ceased functioning in 1990 when the war broke out. The total development will include Development of the Infrastructure facilities for 25 acres which would include fencing, construction of guard room, quarters, gate, water supply scheme with treatment plant, electricity and power supply, approach and internal roads, telecommunication facilities, admin buildings.

The total estimated cost for this project is Rs199Mn. The Indian government will provide financial assistance Rs174 Mn to activate this project in 2011 and 2012. Another domestic fund of Rs 25 Mn will be granted by the Government of Sri Lanka said Minister Devananda.

The peninsular has population of approximately 559,619 people as per the 2007 special census that was carried out with those below 18 years being 188, 999 people. In households the number is around a 130,000. The contribution to the national agenda is targeted to be at least 10 percent in the years to come so that per capita income can be realized to be benefitial to the people of Jaffna. After completion of the reactivation of the estate, it is expected to generate 4000 direct employment opportunities in the area.

Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/business/127-local/25493.html

AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR KILINOCHCHI

In the Kilinochchi District, 8000 acres of land in the Iranamadu area has been earmarked for the Air Force base, including for building of an international airport, in the third stage of its development. Phase one of the project covers site clearance and building administrative, recreational, residential and administrative complexes, which are being carried out presently at an estimated cost of Rs. 70 Million. This base will be commissioned before the end of this year.


Source:http://www.development.lk/news.php?news=885