SITUATION REPORT-MARCH 2005

GENERAL

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The international women’s day was celebrated this month in the University of Jaffna. Women’s development division of the Tamils rehabilitation organization and members of 20 village women societies along with other women’s groups participated in this function. Mrs.Manonmany Shanmugathas, Mrs. Saroja Sivachandren and Mrs. Doreen Arulanantham participated in the meeting and addressed the gathering

DRINKING WATER

The divisional Secretary of the Valigamam west division is making arrangements to provide 50 pero cement water tanks of 10,000 litres capacity to the villages of Araly centre, Araly east, and Araly South. this is to facilitate the conservation of rain water during the rainy season to be used for drinking purposes, as the water in the wells of these areas are blackish.

The Jaffna Municipality has inaugurated water supply schemes in the Pommaiveli area and the area surrounding the Saddanathar temple.

REHABILITATION

More than 4000 families affected by Tsunami in the Maruthankerny AGA division were granted Rs.5000/- each for the purpose of purchasing basic needs such as kitchen utensils etc.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Red Cross society headquarters visited the areas affected by tsunami and distributed uniforms and stationary to students. The visiting team consisted of Mr.Jeyakathpanthu Abeysinghe President and secretary Nimalkumar. The chairman of the finance committee was also present. This team handed over an ambulance vehicle and a photocopy machine donated by the Red Cross society of Turkey.

Fish vendors who had been affected by tsunami also would be granted compensation similar to that granted to the affected fishermen. This was stated by Mr. Suriyakumar the secretary of the Union of Fishermen’s Societies.

A resident of Switzerland had sent Rs.97,000/- to the Vadamaradchy Lions Club to be gifted to 29 children who had lost their parents to Tsunami.

Chavakacheri town will be modernized. This town was devastated during war and requires reconstruction. The blue print for the development of the town will be prepared by the town development authority.

Mr. M. Jayasinghe secretary of the ministry of rehabilitation and reconciliation who inspected the town area in the company of Mr. T. Hewage the chairman of the town development and water distribution board. The necessity to modernize the devastated town was stressed by the Government Agent Mr. K. Kanesh and Mr. S. Srinivasan the divisional secretary.

The I.O.M. organization has provided assistance to the families who had returned from India and living in the Uduvil Divisional Secretary’s Division. Equipments and implements were provided to these families to engage in farming and small business.

The people of Navatkuli East have appealed to the government through their Agricultural Society not to stop the grant of free rations until the standard of living improves. They have pointed out that their damaged houses could not be repaired even though they had resettled in 2002. Fishing in the lagoon is not allowed and agricultural lands are within the High Security Zone. They were paid the re-settlement allowance of Rs.25,000/- only and no other assistance were given to them.

RE-SETTLEMENT

200 permanent houses would be constructed in the Manatkadu area which was very badly affected by the Tsunami disaster. These houses of 500 Sq.ft. floor space would cost Rs.450,000/-

134 temporary shelters were handed over to the people affected by Tsunami in Uduthurai and Thalayady. Of these 110 shelters were constructed in Uduthurai and the balance 24 houses were constructed in Thalayady. This project was undertaken by the Human Development Centre (Caritas Jaffna).

DEVELOPMENT

Five grama officers divisions in each of the Divisional Secretary’s divisions have been selected for development as Central villages under the NEAP 11 project. All modern facilities will be provided in these villages.

A fertilizer factory will be constructed at kakkaitivu. The foundation for this has been laid and the construction work is expected to commence very soon.

A farmer’s bank will be opened in the Tholpuram Agrarian Services centre. Mr.S.Sothinathan divisional officer of the department stated that farm labourers are also eligible to join the farmer’s pension scheme of the department of the agrarian services.

Moovimondo distributed implements such as knives, mammotties and crow bars to the families living in the welfare camps at Chankanai. Hundreds of families displaced from Kankesanthurai, Karainagar and Tellippallai are living in these welfare camps. Most of the persons in these camps are engaged in labour work.

The Seylan Bank has agreed to grant a loan of Rs.30,000/- each to 20 farmers in the farmer’s societies affiliated to the Uduvil Agrarian centre for the purchase of equipments for the sprinkling irrigation system.

Coconut fibre work training course was started for the young girls of varani. This was started by Hon.Mrs.Pathmini Sithamparanathan, M.P. in the Varani NEAP hall.

All the schools affected by Tsunami in the North and East provinces would be renovated at a cost of Rs.6,500 million. 37 schools in Batticaloa, 40 schools in Amparai, 26 schools in Trincomalee, 14 schools in Mullaitivu and 11 schools in Jaffna will be renovated under this scheme. Funds for these works will be received from foreign countries and non-government organizations. 62 schools in these provinces would be shifted from their original sites.

A science exhibition was started on 23^rd March in Kokkuvil Hindu College. This was organized with the patronage of the Commercial Bank.

A free computer training centre was opened by the International Tamil Students Association on the 24^th March. The opening ceremony was presided by Mr.R.Puviraj of the Association. Professor K.Kanthasamy of the faculty of science of the Jaffna University was the chief guest. Professor N.Shanmugalingam, Miss J.Kayalvili adminstrator of the Jaffna political wing and Mr.S.Krishna, adminstrator of the Jaffna district, district students organization were the special guests.

A library and museum were opened in front of the Kandasamy temple at Inuvil. The library was opened by Miss.Thangammah Paramachariya Swamigal. Statues of Tamil kings Pararajasegeran and Segerajasekeran were unveiled by Mr.Puthuvai Ratnathurai adminstrator of Art and cultural society.