http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Northerners_thrive_in_a_North_Reborn_NP_Governor_20130510_01 Northerners thrive in a North Reborn - NP Governor Over Rs. 15 b in infrastructure development 35,000 housing units constructed so far The winds of change blowing across the Northern landscape have ushered in prosperity and new found hope for the people of Jaffna, who for three decades had endured untold suffering under the curse of the LTTE, Northern Province Governor Maj. Gen (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri told the Daily News. Focusing on the current development initiative, he pointed out that the socio -economic development realised through the Mahinda Chinthana Concept is visible everywhere. In place of shell and mortar-riddled buildings, new condominiums are springing up. The state has allocated Rs.10 billion for the development of infrastructure. In addition the Roads Development Authority allocated Rs. 5 billion. Under the NEHRP Project implemented with Indian government financial assistance along with NGO's, over 35,000 housing units have being constructed. A turning point is that The Tamil diaspora has also extended assistance . "The Jaffna people are predominately engaged in agriculture. The private sector has reposed confidence in the governments development drive. "A case in point is the advent of a giant supermarket chain in the North with a five storeyed building under construction. 'This would be a big boost to both cultivators and farmers to sell their products eliminating the middle men. "The Jaffna University, which was under the LTTE jackboot in the days of conflict has seen a new dawning and beginning, as evidenced by the 75 medical students from the South who are studying medicine with their Tamil brothers and sisters in the English medium in the Jaffna University," he explained. The new found affluence had enabled many families to send their children abroad for studies making gibberish the claim by the Tamilnadu Jayalalitha clique that Jaffna Tamils are subject to oppression. Duri9ng their reign of terror, the LTTE even imposed restrictions on marriage. Every family has to hand over one child to the LTTE for the other children to be given in marriage. "The unprecedented development taking place has vanquished the Eelam dream, bringing much benefits to the common man. The new era ushered by the government on the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has helping the people realise their life long hopes and dreams, " the Northern Governor said. Courtesy : Daily News