With the opening up of the A9 highway reconnecting the North and the South by road, the Jaffna economy is set to take off. The recent Exhibition and Trade Fair demonstrated the business potential of the Jaffna region, and the top brands participating were clearly impressed at the vibrancy of the market. Following the encouraging response they received from Jaffna consumers, many of these companies are already planning to expand their distribution networks and set up their own retail and production operations. With greater stability, better infrastructure, more commercial activity and improved human capital, Jaffna can become a truly prosperous society once again, which will be necessary to maintain a lasting peace

Speakers Raise Issues Relating to Israeli Aggression on the Gaza Strip  

The session’s plenary meeting opened with a message from Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations. His message was read-out by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, secretary-general of the Conference on Disarmament and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. The secretary-general said in his statement that at a time of a global economic and financial crisis, advancing the disarmament agenda could produce a tangible peace dividend when the world needed it most.

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Government will build three villages in an area of 750 acres shortly in the name of dead Tamil Leaders to accommodate around 30,000 people expected to arrive from among those families held captive by the LTTE.   

Funds have already been allocated for this project which will put a full stop to the term 'IDP Camps' and the concept of `Refugee Camps', Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

Aim of facilitating IDPs 

By Sandun A Jayasekera  

The government is launching a massive development and resettlement drive in the North aiming at facilitating IDPs, especially a 35,000 exodus in the next couple of weeks following the intensifying of military operations in Mullaitivu, Media Minister Laksman Yapa Abeywardana said.