New Jaffna mayor speaks out

Newly appointed Jaffna Mayor Yogeswari Patkunarajah today spoke to Asian Tribune of her request to President Rajapaksa to implement the 13th amendment fully, hold early local polls amid many other plans to rebuild the city back to its former glory.

Mrs. Patgunarajah took oaths at the Presidential Secretariat on October 12 as the 23rd Mayor of Jaffna and she is the second woman to hold the post.

Speaking to Asian Tribune today, she reiterated her request to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement the 13th amendment to the Constitution fully.

She said it was the only way to ensure proper devolution of power.

The new mayor of Jaffna Urban Council contested on the ruling UPFA ticket at the August 8 local polls. However elections for other local bodies in Jaffna district are yet to be held.

“I asked the President to hold early polls for other local bodies in the Jaffna district,” she noted.

And during the October 12 swearing in ceremony, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had assured speedy polls for the remaining local bodies.

Amid her many plans to rebuild the city, she is keen to see the old Jaffna municipal council building opposite Subramaniam Park, set up in its former shape and splendour.

“Also I want to ensure that a new market place is set up soon.”

Making the historic city environmental friendly is also on top of her goals.

“Plans are afoot to clean all the canals and to restore the city’s forest cover soon,” she said.

A mother of two sons and a teacher with 28 years of experience, said education and politics are subjects close to her heart.

Mrs.Patkunarajah holds a Masters degree in education and has done political science as a subject for her degree.

She said well wishes poured in locally and from abroad alike when she took over the post.

“I was overwhelmed by the amount of good wishes received from all over,” she added.

- Asian Tribune -