Indian PM seeks equitable development for all Sri Lankans during visit to Jaffna

Jaffna: During a historic visit to Jaffna, the Tamil heartland of Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for equitable development and respect for all citizens in Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for Jaffna Cultural Centre at the Jaffna Public Library premises, the Prime Minister emphasised that Jaffna is making a new mark for itself, spreading message of peace to the world and everyone should unite to build the country after the war.
Modi, who arrived in Jaffna Saturday to a rousing welcome, unveiled a plaque of the cultural center that is planned to build with all facilities according to international standards. The project at a cost of $ 1.2 billion will be funded by India.
“India is proud to have an opportunity to establish a unique and world level cultural center in Jaffna,” Modi said after laying the foundation stone.
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran expressing his views on the occasion told the Indian Prime Minister that he made the lives of the people of the Gujarat State happy by granting equal land rights to all. However, such a situation does not prevail in our region, he complained.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism that the Indian Prime Minister would mediate in according equality to the Tamil people in the north and a proper recognition.
During his visit to Jaffna, the Prime Minister handed over the houses built with Indian assistance to the beneficiaries in the war-torn region.
India has pledged to build 50,000 houses in the region for the people displaced by the war. The owner-driven reconstruction project has completed 5,000 houses in the pilot phase and another 26,000 in the second phase.
The Prime Minister said the further work would proceed quickly to complete the rest of the project. The Indian Prime Minister also visited the Naguleswaram temple in Jaffna and offered prayers. Northern Province Governor H.M.G.S. Palihakkara hosted the visiting Indian Prime Minister for a lunch.
Pix by Gayan Amarasekara and Romesh Danushka