Heart of the North beating steadily

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD: Arid and hot, Jaffna is nevertheless one of the most scenic areas in the country. Battle-scarred and war weary, Jaffna is slowly but surely regaining its former glory. Just 12 years after the Government liberated the area from the LTTE, it is firmly on the road to development.

The people in the Jaffna peninsula are now experiencing the freedom of peace. The Security Forces have done a yeoman service to Jaffna residents. Even today the Security Forces fulfil all the day-to-day requirements of Jaffna people, building up a good rapport despite a language barrier.

Whenever the people in the peninsula want any kind of assistance, Forces personnel are ready to help. Therefore everyone in the peninsula has to thank the Forces for their valuable service and dedication, retired teacher S. Thiyagaraja told the Daily News during a media tour of the peninsula.

Until we reached Jaffna we didn't have a firm idea about the situation in the Jaffna peninsula. As soon as our plane touched down at Palali, enthusiastic and friendly officers of Sri Lanka Army greeted us.

We talked to several individuals who were waiting at Palali to come to Colombo by air. "I have gone to Colombo a few times by road before the A9 road was closed and also by sea. But it was rather hard and dull since it took much time. When it comes to travel by air, it is easy and comfortable," said J. Balaraj.

We spoke to security officers engaged in the facilitating civilian movements in Palali. Three private operators offer flights between Palali and Ratmalana. There is no waiting list and a return ticket costs Rs. 9000. We met Jaffna Commander Major General G.A. Chandrasiri for a briefing on the security situation. "There is no room for the LTTE to disrupt the day-to-day life of the civilian population in Jaffna," he said. The Jaffna peninsula is under Security Forces control. "The forces control the peninsula from Nagarkovil to Kilali," he pointed out.

"We will never allow the LTTE to raise their head again and we don't let them enter the cleared areas. We have ensured security by conducting search operations," said the Jaffna Commander.

We realised that the Army has forged an excellent rapport with the people of Jaffna which has helped in the creation of a conductive environment for the smooth functioning of normal life. The Army has acted with responsibility and the civilians are appreciative of the Army's service in almost all spheres of activity. Fishing activities have been restored upto a certain extent in the Jaffna peninsula. Fishermen are allowed to go to sea from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

"But it is impossible to allow them to fish at night as the LTTE would take advantage of this to create problems by posing as fishermen," the Major General said. We visited Gurunagar Jetty which is the main Jetty in Jaffna Peninsula to see fishing activities.

"Apart from the Gurunagar Jetty there are two other famous Jetties called CeyNor and Pasoor. Here at Gurunagar about 450 fishermen go to sea daily in more than 80 boats.

It is our duty to obey the rules imposed by the Security Forces since those are enforced for our own safety," said Rajendran, a boatman.

"The Security Forces buy our fish and we get a considerable of income," he said. We then visited Union college, Tellippalai a leading Tamil college in the Jaffna peninsula.

Educational activities were going on smoothly. All the students had received free books and uniforms which are distributed by the Government. Moreover the Security Forces have built a good atmosphere which is helpful for educational activities. Most of the schools and the Jaffna university are functioning well, Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh said.

The Naguleshwaram Kovil is a popular and highly venerated Kovil inside the High Security Zone. When we went there, many youth were engaged in a special Pooja at the Kovil.

"We are from the Jaffna Teacher Training College. There are around 300 students studying in the Training College. It has been started in 1947 at an auspicious time. From the very beginning every year we celebrate that occasion by participating in Poojas at this Naguleshwaram Kovil," a second year student at the Jaffna Teacher Training College said.

The government has taken steps to rebuild the Naguleswaran Kovil. The construction process is being carried out by a contractor under the supervision of Sri Lankan Navy. The Government has already spent Rs. 30 million for the construction and steps have been taken to complete the construction in due course.

The people in the Jaffna peninsula are lucky enough to have a sophisticated Cancer Hospital on par with the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. The Jaffna cancer hospital was established in 2005 aiming to reduce the burden on cancer patients and their families.

"No cancer patient has to be taken to Maharagama or Anuradhapura since this hospital has all the facilities. The hospital can treat 40 patients per day," said radiologist S. Ramalingam. Before establishing cancer hospital the cancer patients had been taken to Maharagama or Anuradhapura for treatments.

We then turned our attention to agriculture. Urumpilai, Punnalei-Kattuwan, Illawalei are the main areas where grapes are cultivated. K. Ramanathan has been cultivating grapes in Urumpilai for 30 years.

"We had a good market for our harvest when the visitors from the South came to Jaffna. Our produce could be sent to Colombo those days. But, unfortunately due to the LTTE terrorist activities no visitors come to Jaffna now. A kilogramme of grapes is sold at Rs. 80 while the whole sale price is Rs. 60."

Apart from grapes, onion, tobacco, beet and carrot cultivations are commonly seen. "We face a difficulty as the price of fertiliser is high. A 50 Kilogram packet of Urea costs Rs. 3150. Therefore it is rather difficult to use chemical fertiliser for our plantations. That is the very reason for the reduction of our harvest," Ramanathan added.

In fact almost all farmers have faced this common problem. They urged the Government to control the price of fertiliser. According to farmers, middlemen is one of the main reasons for the high price. On some occasions, Government officers have sold fertiliser to middlemen through the back-door.

This allows middlemen to create a 'shortage' of fertiliser at Government stores and sell fertiliser at higher prices. The Government has to take steps to bring down the price of fertiliser and take immediate action to break the monopoly, the farmers say.

"Some Tamil politicians who stand for safeguarding the rights of the poor Tamils, are engaged in transporting commodities and fertiliser to Jaffna. Poor Tamil people are exploited by these politicians," said a middle-aged man who declined to be identified. Jaffna Government Agent Ganesh said there is a steady supply of essential items to the Jaffna peninsula. Goods are being sold at affordable prices, the GA said.

According to the Government Agent, a majority of items fetch the same price as in Colombo. Goods are sold at 547 sales outlets in the peninsula including 24 co-operative outlets. There are seven ships transporting goods to Jaffna. Four belong to the Essential Services Commissioner while the others are operated by private traders, Ganesh said adding that the loading and unloading process was continuing smoothly.

We had a rare chance to visit the `Dambakola Patuna' Buddhist temple where Sangamitta Therani brought the sapling of the `Sri Maha Bodhi'. The sapling has been handed over to the King Devanam Piyathissa at Dambakola Patuna by Sangamitta Therani at this sacred place.

When we visited Kankasanthurei harbour, the ship `Green Ocean' was at out harbour waiting to enter the harbour with a large number of passengers from Trincomalee. The ship has been carrying passengers between Trincomalee and KKS.

The ordinary passengers who intend to go to Colombo or other parts of the island use the ship since it is cheaper than air travel. Every other day the ship leaves for Trincomalee from KKS. "An adult passenger has to spend Rs. 2,750 for a ticket while a child under five years does not need a ticket," the Civil Movement Coordinator K. Kandasamy said.

When we visited the Jaffna library we were fascinated that it was back to its old glory. The Government spent Rs. 120 million for the reconstruction.

"This is not mere a library, it is also a cultural centre," said the librarian. "The library has been fully constructed and received thousands of books. We know that the people in the South have contributed in the construction process," he further added.

According to the librarian, there are 100,000 books available now. Unlike the former library, the new libraryhas a computer laboratory which has internet facility. The library has exceeded 7,000 members and is maintained by 40 staffers.

Medical Camps are conducted once a month in every Brigade by the Security Forces aiming to help the patients in the peninsula. The patients are examined by qualified Army doctors and all medicines given free of charge.

"The Army doctors do door-to-door medical testing once a month. If not for this medical campaign, we have to go to Kaithadi hospital which is located 10 Kilometres away from here spending money and time.

We are grateful to the Forces for these services," N.Kandasamy, a patient who had come for free treatment at the Chenmani Medical Camp said.

(http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070804_01)