German minister gifts boats, engines, nets

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 February 2005, 19:39 GMT]
German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms. Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, visited Manalkaadu, a Tsunami devastated fishing village on Jaffna's southeastern coast Tuesday. She gave fifteen boats and out board motors to fishermen who lost their homes and all belongings. Fishermen refused to receive the boats and equipment from the German Minister in the presence of Sri Lanka army officers from the Manalkaadu garrison.

Jaffna Government Agent and Jaffna Bishop were present at the function.

The German Minister handed over the boats, engines and twenty nets after the SLA officers and Police left the place where the function was held.

The Minister said that the German government wants to help Manalkaadu directly.

"A german village will adopt Manalkaadu and develop it according to modern standards", the minister said.

She promised to give some multi day boats to local fishermen affected by the Tsunami.

She visited German funded projects in Chavakachcheri later before departing to Colombo.

She was accompanied by the German Ambassador for Sri Lanka.