The Northern Province that had been battered, bruised and bloodied by a three-decade-long conflict was developed and reconstructed within a short period of five years, the minister said, adding that the province had come first among others in achieving development targets.

Minister Devananda said the government had implemented a massive development process in the province and the arrival of Yarl Devi express train to Jaffna after a lapse of 24 years linking Colombo to Jaffna, improvement of roads and infrastructure facilities were an indications of the development achieved in few years. Members of the international community that shout from abroad should visit Jaffna and see for themselves the actual situation and development there, the minister said.

The expedited process of development of the province had been achieved under the visionary and courageous leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Devananda said.

He said that the next target of people of the North was to see the construction of Northern Expressway.

(Special Reporter/SDF)