The Hon. Governor of Northern Province, N. Vethanayagan as the chief guest, addressed the people of Kurunagar during the World Fisheries Event held on December 1, 2024, at the Kurunagar Labourers’ Rest House. He highlighted that one of the long-standing aspirations of the community was the construction of a harbour in Kurunagar. The Governor stated that action will be taken to fulfil this aspiration by initiating discussions with the Minister of Fisheries.
The Governor emphasized the role of agriculture and fisheries as the twin pillars of the Northern Province’s economy. He reflected on his previous tenure as the Jaffna District Secretary, where he had worked extensively to enhance these sectors. In his speech, he also lauded the significant contributions made by S. Sutharsan, the current Divisional Secretary of Jaffna Divisional Secretariat, and expressed his support for the development efforts in this regard
He further acknowledged the efforts of Hon. R. Chandrasegar, the Minister of Fisheries, who is deeply committed to advancing the area’s welfare. While the Governor recognized that previous attempts to build the harbour had not been successful, he assured the community that, with the present collaboration between his office and the Minister of Fisheries, they would work towards making the harbour a reality. The Governor also noted the importance of honouring the past fishermen and acknowledged the efforts to support the development of the community. He emphasized the need for assistance to improve society and assured that the important needs of the fishermen will be considered and addressed.
Parish Priest Rev. Father Javish of Kurunagar St. James Church offered his blessings at the event, and mentioned that the right person had been appointed as the Hon. Governor. Rev. Father further stated that anyone could approach the Governor at any time, highlighting his understanding of the issues faced by the people of Jaffna. Rev. Father expressed confidence that the district would progress under the Governor’s leadership.
Julian Sakayarajah, President of the Fishermen’s Development Society, also made requests during the event. He called for the restoration of the lighthouse, which was destroyed during the 1990 war, as well as the renovation of the main road and the harbour to support the community’s development.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Hon. K. Ilangumaran, Member of Parliament for Jaffna District, S. Sutharsan, Divisional Secretary of Jaffna, and J. Suthakaran, Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Jaffna.
