India today gifted medical equipments worth 29 million Sri Lankan Rupees to the District Hospital in Kilinochchi. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna today handed over the medical equipment to the refurbished hospital on his maiden visit to Kilinochchi, the former administrative capital of the LTTE.

AIR Correspondent reports, Mr. Krishna was accorded a traditional welcome by the hospital authorities. 79 schools which have been repaired with Indian assistance were also handed over to the authorities for making them functional.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Krishna said, this project was conceived to help revive the educational facilities and to give a facelift to the educational system in the war-ravaged North with India hoping that students will have a decent learning environment.

These 79 schools are spread in the three districts of Killinochi, Mullaithivu and Vavuniya. Mr. Krishna also said that medical equipment are also being provided to the Mullaithivu General Hospital. He also announced that India will construct a 200-bed
hospital in Vavuniya. Mr. Krishna once again reiterated that India will remain fully committed to the well being of the war-displaced Tamil civilians.

Later in the afternoon, the External Affairs minister will also hand over the first set of houses to the war displaced civilians at Ariyalai in Jaffna. AIR correspondent reports, 10,000 bicycles will also be distributed to the war displaced civilians in the Northern Province.