September 08, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured the people of Northern Sri Lanka that they will be fully safeguarded under the law during his tenure.
Speaking at a rally in Udupitti, Jaffna yessterday (07) the President criticised opposition presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake for making comments which he deemed threatening towards the Northern population.
He accused Dissanayake of following the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) coercive tactics and called for an apology to both the Northern Tamil community and the Southern population for the remarks.
The rally, organised to drum up support for Wickremesinghe’s presidential bid, also provided a platform for the President to highlight his administration’s initiatives in the Northern region.
Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of a balanced approach to governance and pledged continued development, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and education.
He outlined several projects aimed at rejuvenating the economy of the North, including an agricultural modernisation programme aimed at boosting food production and export potential.
He explained that the initiative would provide local farmers with better income opportunities through advanced agricultural practices and a tailored loan scheme to support modernisation efforts.
This programme, according to the President, will not only strengthen food security but also play a significant role in uplifting the livelihoods of farmers in the region.
On the tourism front, the President mentioned plans to transform Palali Airport into a key gateway to Northern Sri Lanka, targeting an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country to 5 million annually.
Tourism development zones around Kankasanthurai, Paranthan, and Mankulam have also been proposed to create further employment and investment opportunities in the region, he added.
Furthermore, Wickremesinghe envisions Jaffna becoming a hub for digital economic activities, creating job prospects within the region to curb the exodus of residents seeking work outside the North.
The President also touched on the expansion of the fishing industry and the implementation of the ‘River to Jaffna’ programme to resolve the area’s long-standing water issues.
In the education sector, the President announced plans to convert training colleges into professional institutions and reform the school curriculum to meet future demands, aligning with his “Puluwan Sri Lanka” manifesto.
These educational reforms aim to prepare the younger generation for the challenges of 2040, with a focus on providing relevant skills that cater to the evolving economic landscape.
The President also reiterated his commitment to revitalising the provincial council system, stating that large-scale development projects require the cooperation of local governments.
By strengthening the role of provincial councils, Wickremesinghe believes the North will receive greater autonomy in managing its development, ensuring that projects are handled efficiently at the local level.
Addressing the controversy surrounding opposition leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent remarks in Jaffna, Wickremesinghe criticised the statement as a veiled threat, accusing the JVP leader of attempting to pressure the Northern population. He demanded a formal apology from Dissanayake for the comments he had made before the Northerners.
Dissanayake’s comments suggested that the North would be viewed negatively by the South if they opposed changes advocated by the opposition, Wickremesinghe alleged.
