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Some concerns remain in North: UK

05 Sep 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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.

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Some concerns remain in North: UK

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