President Mahinda in Jaffna this evening

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to arrive in Jaffna this evening on a two-day official visit on the invitation of Minister Douglas Devananda, Jaffna Electoral District MP and the Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development.

According to Minister Douglas Devananda the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will commence from tomorrow - 12 February and he will be in Jaffna till 13th of this month to participate in number of official events and ceremonies.

Earlier the President was to visit Jaffna on the 14th of January to participate in the National Thai Pongal Day and also in numerous official functions. But the visit was postponed due to bad weather and hence this visit.

On the 12th morning President is expected to declare open the uninterrupted electricity supply program to the Peninsula at Chunnakam.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) under the direction of the Minster of Power and Energy has established a 24MW Thermal Power plant in Chunnakam. This would stabilize the electricity supply for the Jaffna peninsula.

Three 8.6MW thermal electricity generators are being set up by Lakdanavi, a subsidiary company of CEB.

The full cost of the projected is estimated at Rs. 4000 million. The 24 MW would be integrated to the main grid of the Jaffna Peninsula and is expected to provide uninterrupted power supply to the Peninsula.

By 11 AM tomorrow morning, President will chair the the District Coordinating Committees meeting at the Tilco hotel, Jaffna.

The meeting is expected to explore the progress made in the year 2012 and also expected to finalize programs for the year 2013 for the Jaffna district.

In the evening President is expected to declare open a pier constructed by the Sri Lanka Navy at Nainativu to facilitate pilgrims visiting Nagabhooshany Amman Temple and the Buddhist temple located in the islet.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit the Nagadeepa Vihara and also to the Nagabhooshany Amman Temple for worshiping.

On 13th morning, President will declare open the hospital building at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided a grant of 2,298 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs. 2,900 million) for the Jaffna Teaching Hospital to restore tertiary level medical functions, by construction work on a central facility to house core functions, such as surgeries, intensive care, central supply and sterilizing, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests, improving facilities and equipment and also by providing training programs to maintain the equipment.

Minister Douglas Devanand will be hosting a lunch in the honor of President Rajapaksa and his delegation.

Asian Tribune also learnt that President will meet the civil society delegations and well wishers before he leaves for Colombo.

- Asian Tribune -