http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/12/01/news02.asp


Diaspora could contribute towards Northern development - President

The Diaspora could contribute in a significant manner towards development of the North, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
“We have launched several programmes to develop the North and help our people there. There is a need to provide entertainment for the people of the North and more facilities for sports and recreation in addition to building more hotels. Both the private sector and the Diaspora could play an active role in the North,” the President said.
President Rajapaksa also said that most in the Diaspora are yet to see Sri Lanka and Jaffna.
He said that it is the right time for them to lend a helping hand. President Rajapaksa added that a Sri Lankan Tamil businessman is now operating a helicopter service to Jaffna and much could be done by the Diaspora.
“There is free access and people can visit Jaffna as they wish,” said the President. Soon after opening Sri Lanka’s first expressway connecting Colombo with Galle last week, the President began the spadework for an expressway linking Colombo with Jaffna.
“I will work on the Jaffna Expressway so that the distance can be covered in three hours,” he said.