Some concerns remain in North: UK

5 September 2014 08:40 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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British High Commissioner John Rankin said today though Sri Lanka’s Northern region is moving forward from its difficult past, some concerns still remained.

“I was pleased to visit the North again to see for myself the current situation on the ground; the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. I was also happy to meet those involved in addressing the concerns and restoring normality to the region. In my discussions, it was clear that the region is moving forward from its difficult past, but some concerns remain,” he said at the end of his visit to the North.

Mr. Rankin made a three-day visit to the Northern Province -- Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya -- and met government and military officials, members of political parties, the police, the British Council, humanitarian organisations and resettled communities.

“I visited the Mullaitivu Hindu Tamil Vidyalam which I last visited three years ago and was delighted to see the new buildings being used by its talented students. In Jaffna I met Dr. Ravi Pillai, a dual Sri Lankan British National, who is conducting lifesaving heart surgery in the North for the first time,” he said.

Mr. Rankin said he had also met several recently resettled families in Puthukkudiyiruppu.

“They spoke frankly about the issues their communities face, including a lack of housing and employment. I strongly hope that these communities can live their lives free from reprisals and are able to have their voices heard. The Northern Province is one of the most fascinating places in Sri Lanka, as it rebuilds and rejuvenates itself from its legacy of war. It is encouraging to see firsthand the progress made in areas such as demining and resettlement and I welcome the steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government in these areas," he said.

He urged the government to continue taking further steps to improve the livelihoods of the people of the Northern Province, address their concerns and allow them to move forward into a brighter future in a stable and peaceful Sri Lanka. "Britain will continue to support these efforts,” the British High Commissioner said.

He also visited the Uthayan Newspaper offices in Jaffna; a demining site operated by The HALO Trust in Muhamalai, supported by the British Government; the Oxonian Heart Foundation run by Sri Lankan-British National Dr. Ravi Pillai at the North-Central Hospital; the MAS Active Factory in Kilinochchi and the British High Commission funded community policing project at the Puthukkudiyiruppu Police Station.

Mr. Rankin had also met Vanni Security Forces Commander Boniface Perera; Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Sivashakthi Andandan; Mullaitivu Government Agent N. Vethanayagma and Vavuniya Additional Government Agent Ms. Mohanathan.

Comments - 28

Suq Madique Saturday, 06 September 2014 02:49 AM

Jaffna will never be the way it was because tamils tried to create their own separate state by force. Even now they are trying with the assistance of the Int'l community. Talk of the thousands already settled and the development that has taken place or is that too difficult for you to admit?

Citizen L Sunday, 07 September 2014 08:34 AM

Do come back to SL once you get tired of prostituting yourself in Canada.

Alex Sunday, 07 September 2014 02:24 AM

this is what the SL high commissioner Kariyawasam in Delhi was doing

dhamarapalad Saturday, 06 September 2014 05:41 PM

democratic elected peson must rule the province, not the army governmer,and army

Sheri Saturday, 06 September 2014 02:52 PM

He (Sam) is obviously referring to you and your racist comments - not Mr Rankin - digest sensibly what is being commented upon.

Lanka Saturday, 06 September 2014 11:13 AM

Rankin, does the SL High Commissioner in London visit Wales and other regions of the UK to find out if they are given proper treatment. These are internal affairs of the British Government! So why do you poke your nose into internal affairs of the SL government? Mind your own damn business.

npathirana Saturday, 06 September 2014 07:46 AM

Bala, Better not to generalise. Not all Tamils make trouble. But those too nationalistic people. Problem is this rate is High in Tamil Population.

Otherwise Tamils are a Honest and straightforward hardworking community.

npathirana Saturday, 06 September 2014 07:43 AM

No they will never try this in Tamil Nadu. Once they were taught a lesson. And they know they cant fight and Win with a Large Army like Indian Army. Instead they will try small places like Sri Lanka, Fiji, Maldives to be the First. While Eelamists keep dreaming only innocent and poor people will suffer.

Here British Govt has accepted the truth but with difficult accent. True there are things to be done and improved, and it is true everywhere in the world.

flatwhite Saturday, 06 September 2014 07:41 AM

Yes Saskia is a tamil refugee with illeagal entry and is over staying dont want to go and join his so called tamils in Jaffna why?? This is the only way he can hide his false assylum he is claiming for his own benefit and does not even care if the tamils eat or drink

R.rathinam Saturday, 06 September 2014 06:43 AM

Why can't you all leave the Tamils alone. Before Britain captured Ceylon,Sinhalese had their own kingdom and Tamils had their own Kingdom. Now Tamil speaking people want greater autonomy in. North and East. Why don't you give that to them.are you jealous of Tamil speaking people . Tamils buy their properties in other parts of SL and in rest of the world. They don't get state buying properties and giving it to Sinhala speaking people. Such people are more than welcome in North and East if they pay money and buy the land. Tamils do not get state aid to buy properties in rest of the island.

Pissa Saturday, 06 September 2014 05:08 AM

If you take your fingers out, you do not have to worry at all.

Suq Madique Saturday, 06 September 2014 04:31 AM

And we are concerned why the Chilcott report on the UK's part in the Iraq invasion has not been released in full

Kasunsir Gunartnae Friday, 05 September 2014 08:52 AM

Must be sad that after years of effort he cannot get us to the state of Libiya , Iraq and Syriya .

Sahar Saturday, 06 September 2014 01:16 AM

Saskia, Are you sincere in what you say? If you tone your statement down, how will it read? Please be fair.

Saskia Friday, 05 September 2014 10:32 PM

Yes,according to SAM, Mr. Rankin was a LTTE cadre nad carrying weapons and he was the right hand of Praba. Sam has lot of proofs for this, am i right Sam?

Saskia Friday, 05 September 2014 10:28 PM

You, land stealers and intruders, never stop occupying Tamil's land.

Bala Friday, 05 September 2014 06:37 PM

Where ever Tamils go, there are problems...Watch.. next is tamilnadu..separate country for tamils..

Sheri Friday, 05 September 2014 05:51 PM

A never-satisfied racist!

Dickie Bird Friday, 05 September 2014 02:41 PM

Does Rankin know how many people live their and the GOSL expenditure to appease them?

Is it worth?
Tamils in those areas deserve to be in camps as they do not know to appreciate and do not know how much is enough.

What is the returns the GOSL get for such collosal expenditure? Brickbats...................

jim pappa Friday, 05 September 2014 02:00 PM

None are so blind as those who do not want to see. Where do you live Saskia, Timbucktu ?

truth Friday, 05 September 2014 01:02 PM

#Saskia, Thank you for telling the truth!!

Truth Seeker Friday, 05 September 2014 12:31 PM

Sam, that is why they are called LieTTE.

SL Friday, 05 September 2014 12:19 PM

yes,yes yes,,,,,,,,,,,,no tamils are living in other parts of the country
get a life !!

John Friday, 05 September 2014 11:52 AM

You and idiots like you will never be satisfied. Keep on trying to create more problems for the country and your own kind.

Sam Friday, 05 September 2014 10:34 AM

LTTE Agents will never see the truth. Try to fabricate falls for all the foreigners, its shame.

Saskia Friday, 05 September 2014 09:25 AM

Mr. Rankin, the SL government is busy with demining areas and creating new settlements in those areas for Sinhalese while Tamils of that area are still at camps or at relative's houses. Haven't you noticed that during your visit?

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Some concerns remain in North: UK

Comments - 28

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