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.