July 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna affiliated Socialist Youth Union (SYU) has declared today (23) as the Day to Celebrate Brotherhood to build bridges between the youth in the South and the North.

The SYU said that even over a year after ending the war in the North, the government has been unable to provide the basic facilities for the people in the North.

Former JVP parliamentarian and SYU Head Bimal Ratnayake said that although the government has taken steps to hold a Cabinet meeting in Kilinochchi, no decisions have been taken for the benefit of the people in the North.

He said the people have not been provided with proper water access. "The water tank in Kilinochchi that was destroyed during the war is being used as a war memorial without considering the fact that people in the area do not have proper drinking water," he said.

He also noted that the government has failed to move towards reconciliation.

Noting that it would be the 28th anniversary of the Black July this year, Ratnayake said the SYU would launch a Day to Celebrate Brotherhood today (23) to build bridges between the youth in the South and the North.