Tyronne Fernando assumes duties as NE Governor

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 December 2004, 17:22 GMT]
Mr.Tyronne Fernando, newly appointed Governor for the North East Province Wednesday assumed duties in the Governor's Secretariat which is located at Orr's Hill, a suburb in Trincomalee. Dignitaries of all faiths blessed him before he started his duties in his office. The Governor spoke in Sinhala first and then in English. His speech was not translated into Tamil language, sources said.

New NE Governor Mr.Tyronne Fernando lighting traditional lamp before assuming office Wednesday

Mr.Tyronne Fernando in his office in Governor Secretariat, Trincomalee.

"I hope I would discharge my duty with great humility and with low profile with the sole intention of healing the wounds and rebuilding the province on the ruins," said Mr.Tyronne Fernando who is the fifth governor of the Tamil dominated northeast province.

He said he has been appointed Governor by the President Ms Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge to develop the war-torn province.

He added he has more than thirty years experience in public life holding several ministries such as media, justice and foreign affairs. He was the chief organizer for the opposition.

Of the four Trincomalee district parliamentarians, only the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Mr.Jayantha Wijesekara attended the event. Other MPs including the SLMC dissident MP Mr.Najeeb Abdul Majeed who is the Minister for Trincomalee District Rehabilitation and Development did not attend the function though invited.

Mr.Tyronne Fernando is the third civilian to hold the post of NE Governor after Mr.Lionel Fernando (former civil servant) and Mr.Gamini Fonseka (actor turned politician) The first Governor was Lt.General Nalin Seneviratne, former commander of the Sri Lanka Army and the fourth governor was Major General (retd) Asoka Jayawardene who is now holding the post of the Defence Ministry Secretary.