The Indian High Commissioner in Colombo reviewed the progress of Indian-assisted development projects in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Visiting the site of the projects, the High Commissioner noted that Northern Railway line reconstruction project would be completed ahead of schedule by December 2013. Once completed, the railway line would ensure an increased connectivity of the Northern Province with the rest of Sri Lanka giving a boost to the economy of the war torn region.

In his remarks, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that Indian assistance to Sri Lanka has come in the form of grant assistance and not loans. He thanked the India for implementing the livelihood projects, including the housing project which will see the construction of 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons.

The pilot phase of construction of 1000 houses has been successfully completed and the second phase, based on direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries, is to be completed within the next three years.