The Anti-Corruption Bill is due to undergo Committee Stage amendments on Wednesday (19 July), President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Tamil Parliamentarians from the North and East.

Meanwhile, President Wickremesinghe further noted that amendments to the Bill proposed by the Supreme Court will also be considered, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

The matter was discussed at a meeting held with Tamil Parliamentarians from the North and East today (18 July), during which other matters of concern were also addressed.

Accordingly, attention was also paid to the development of the Kankasanturei (KKS) Harbour, the Vauniya and Palaly Airports, and the potential establishment of a ferry service connecting the Northern Province of Sri Lanka with South India.

Meanwhile, the ‘Water for the North Program’ was also discussed, at length. Thus, the key areas of interest included projects related to water management, the development of the Poonekery Tank, the ‘River for Jaffna’ initiative, which aims to provide fresh water, the renewal of small tanks and increasing the water capacity of the Iranamadu Tank.

President Wickremesinghe further discussed the development of tourism in the Northern Province, specifically in Jaffna and Mannar, while the promotion of coconut cultivation in Vanni, and the aim to establish Jaffna as a vibrant university town was also talked about.

“The Development Plan for the North aims to harness the renewable energy potential of the region, particularly through the production of green hydrogen and ammonia. This initiative seeks to attract investments and enhance the Port of Colombo. 

Additionally, the plan designates Pooneryn New Town as the central hub for the renewable energy economy, fostering concentrated growth in the sector”, the PMD reported.