http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110712_02

Jaffna will get its' lost glory soon' - Economic Development Minister

"When the major development projects, being carried out in the North under the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa are completed Jaffna will get its lost glory soon", said the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa addressing a ceremony held to distribute micro credit and essential items among the public in Jaffna district.
The projects were launched by the Northern Co-operatives and Local Government Ministry under the supervision of Northern Governor G A Chandrasiri and a total of 852 persons received micro loans between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 each, under these livelihood development projects.
The Minister further stated that 16,000 persons had received loan facilities under the livelihood project during the last two years and another 5,000 would receive loan facilities under the Gemi Diriya project in Jaffna next year too.
"It is the government's intention to develop the individuals first, and the through the individuals the family and the country would be developed later. As the government's contribution to large scale development work, the expressways, airport and seaports, power stations, hospitals are being developed", the minister said. Further he invited the civilians to be active participants of these development projects by supporting the government's efforts without going behind bankrupt politicians who oppose government's projects.
Minister Douglas Devananda and Northern Governor G A Chandrasiri also spoke.