PR-08

High Commissioner of India, H.E. Mr. Alok Prasad, accompanied by Shri Vikram Misri, Deputy High Commissioner and other officials of the High Commission of India visited Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee in Eastern Province from February 16-17, 2009

During the visit, the High Commissioner met with H.E. Mr. Mohan Wijewickrama, Governor of the Eastern Province and Mr. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, along with Board of Ministers and Secretaries. He also visited the Batticaloa Municipal Council, where he met with the Hon’ble Mayor Ms. Sivageetha Prabhakaran and other Councilors

Discussions were held on development plans of the Eastern Province and ways in which India can contribute to the development of the region. India has already provided ten buses for the use of the Administration of the Eastern Province and the Batticaloa Municipal Council. The High Commissioner also announced that Government of India will assist with the establishment of 20 Nenasalas in the Province and finance a project to connect Batticaloa and Trincomalee through a Rail Bus service at the request of the Chief Minister. Projects to assist the Education and Health sector in Eastern Province would also be undertaken

The High Commissioner also visited the Kattankudy Central College, where he gifted a Bus for use of the students; handed over Nenasala certificates at the Hizbullah Cultural Hall; and briefly witnessed the ongoing session of the Eastern Provincial Council. He also visited the proposed site in Sampur of the NTPC-CEB joint coal power project and the Lanka IOC facilities at Trincomalee.

Colombo