Yal Devi reaches Jaffna after 24 years!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

The resumption of the iconic Yal Devi train service between Colombo and Jaffna after nearly 24 years, with its ceremonial inauguration tomorrow by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Jaffna, marks a significant milestone in the Government's mega development programs for the terrorism ravaged Northern province.

	Senior Government officials at the station

Perhaps it is the culmination of development programs related to road and rail transport, infrastructure and connectivity between the North and South.

The rail and road links were savagely destroyed by the LTTE terrorists. The railway lines and the A9 road which now connects the North and South symbolise a new beginning towards a united nation and a common national outlook, authoritative sources said.

The India Railway Construction International (IRCON), an Indian railway subsidiary, has now completed the restoration of the railway lines from Palai to Jaffna under the $ 8,000 Million line of credit from India.

Previously the IRCON had restored a section of the lines from Omanthai to Palai. Nearly 4,000 workers, including 400 skilled labourers from India, have been working on the project for over four years.

The 339 Km line is the longest in the country. The Jaffna railway station has been renovated with assistance from the Bank of Ceylon (BoC).

Reconstructed Jaffna Railway station
Yal Devi train devastated in LTTE bomb attack in 1985

The BoC has provided many modern facilities at the railway station while also preserving its cultural architecture.

United nation

In April 1956 , a point of time when the country was one united nation, away from any communal discontent, the CGR put in the following advertisement in an English-language daily announcing the 'Three Lovely Sisters 'train services - the Uda Rata Menike, the Yal Devi and the Ruhunu Kumari - and thus began the iconic Yal Devi train service to Jaffna which became part and parcel of the life of the Northern people.

Many people recall nostalgic memories of their travels, to and fro, with their families, surprise meetings with relatives or lost-touch-with friends and other interesting experiences.

It was the 'northern line' with the Yal Devi or the 'Princess of Jaffna' ruling the tracks that formed the main artery joining the north to the south, bringing with it integration, exchange and friendship. In 1985, approximately 100 individuals died as a result of the bomb attack carried out by the LTTE on the Yal Devi train.

In 1990, the Yal Devi stopped operating past Vavuniya because of the declining security situation.

One of the first casualties of terrorist attacks was the disruption and intermittent severance of linkages by the terrorists between the North and the South as early as 1985.

The A9 road that connected the Jaffna peninsula and the northern part was also closed after terrorists overran townships along the roadway around 1990.

However, the military defeat of the LTTE in May 2009 changed the entire set up and the people of the North awoke to a fresh new world, one filled with prospects of peace and social well-being.

Democracy has been fully restored and all democratically-elected bodies, including the Provincial Council, the Municipal Council, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas are functioning.

The district and the Jaffna city are fast returning to their pristine glory as important economic and educational epicentres of the region.

A multitude of development-oriented mega projects have been implemented in the district to wipe off the scars of terrorism and to make it a model district.

As a major project in the health sector, the Jaffna Teaching Hospital project has been completed at an expenditure of Rs.2,900 Mn under funding from the Japanese JICA.

Rs.7,272.689 Mn has been allocated in 2013 for development and renovation of the railway sector, all other transport sectors, including road transport and aviation, social infrastructure, the administrative sector, agricultural sector and tourism sector in the district, according to district secretariat sources.

Five-year plan

Many projects with funding from the Ministry of Economic Development and other line ministries, are under implementation to construct modern towns, more housing complexes, improved agricultural and fisheries facilities, electricity supply to the entire region and enhanced irrigation facilities.

	CGR advertisement announcing the train service launch in 1956

A five-year plan at a total cost of Rs.49,888.16 Million for implementing 2,603 projects in the sectors of irrigation, agriculture, livestock development, fisheries, water supply and sanitation, roads and bridges, electricity, education, health, housing, industries, social welfare and environmental management has also been formulated, the sources said.

The amount that was allocated for the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project under the Iranamadu Water Supply Scheme is Rs.18,328.18 Mn.

A population of 435,000 living in the DS divisions of Jaffna, Thenmaradchchi, Karaveddy, Velanai, Kopay, Sandilipay, Chankanai, Nallur, Karainagar, Kayts, Poonakery and Palai will be benefited under the project.

Although the entire project was originally estimated to be completed in seven years, steps have been initiated to accelerate the project, according to secretariat sources. It is an ADB, AFD and GoSL funded project.

The Ministry of Fisheries has introduced several welfare schemes for the fisher families and has provided all assistance including fishing gears, vessels, docking piers, fisheries harbours and marketing facilities. With fertile fishing ground in the Northern seas fish production is on an increasing trend.

Total land

The Atchuvely Industrial Estate, with the funding of Rs.253.80 Mn from the Government of India and Rs.26.20 Mn from the GoSL, is producing aluminum hardware, stainless steel products, coconut oil, sodium silicate, soap, poultry feed, canned fruits, printing ink and glassware.

The total land area is 64 acres, 36 factory units operate and employment has been provided to 2,000 persons.

The Rs.2.5 Billion Cultural Centre constructed under the auspices of the Government of India is nearing completion, marking an important milestone in the restoration of facilities for the people to pursue their cultural and religious activities. The Jaffna city is now a picturesque sight and the city streets are bustling with life.

Courtesy : Sunday Observer