Trincomalee declared 'city of peace'

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 1999, 13:15 GMT]
The eastern port town of Trincomalee has been declared a city for peace in Sri Lanka at a ceremony held this morning at Trincomalee St. Mary's College auditorium. The UNESCO had proposed the idea in collaboration with the United Nations' International Day of Peace.

The Minister for Posts, Telecommunication and Media, Mangala Samaraweera and the Deputy Minister for Justice, Constitutional and Ethnic Affairs and National Integration, Dilan Perera were among the distinguished guests at the ceremony.

Mr. Mangala Samaraweera unveiled the name board of the peace city at the entrance to the town, at Anpuvallipuram junction. Later, he laid the foundation stone for the peace monument at Trincomalee sea beach.

Thereafter the inaugural ceremony was held at the St.Mary's College.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr.Mangala Samaraweera, said that the government has taken steps to develop Trincomalee as the commercial capital of the country.

The government has allocated a sum of 150 billion rupees for the development of Trincomalee harbour, with the Japanese aid, he added.

Then the North East Governor Major General Asoka Jayawardhene read a message from Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge.

The UNESCO declaration was read by Dr.Premadasa Udagama, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka National Commission for Co-operation.

The message of the Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Ethnic Affairs and National Integration was read by his Assistant Secretary Mr. M.I.S.Ahamed.

The north east governor then declared open the Peace City of Trincomalee by handing over the city key to the Secretary of the Trincomalee Urban Council Mr. Erambu Sothilingam.