* Sri Lanka opposition party promises an effective resettlement program in Jaffna
Sat, Mar 20, 2010, 10:41 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 20, Jaffna: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party commencing its election campaign in Jaffna yesterday (19) promised to set up an effective resettlement program in the North.

Speaking at the kickoff, the opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe said his government will keep only the essential security zones in the strategic areas and remove the others. The party which always thinks ahead has already finalized a plan to upgrade the Palaly airport to international standard, he said.

Describing the UNP as a party that always stood for national harmony and peace among all communities, Wickremasinghe pledged to do justice to all communities.

He promised the residents to convert Jaffna into a city that could compete with Indian cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Pooneryn and Pallai will be modernized and factories will be established, he added.

The Opposition leader promised the fishermen that he would increase the loans for them from one million to two million rupees to purchase boats.

Wickremasinghe also promised each of the university students a laptop computer and two- year special job training.