Pak Envoy In Sri Lanka Visits Northern Province To Review Progress On Pakistan Housing Project

Muhammad Rameez Published November 07, 2016 | 02:40 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Nov, 2016 ) : High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain visited Northern Province of Sri Lanka to review the progress on Pakistan-funded housing project consisting of 230 houses for war affected families of District Mannar.

Sri Lankan Minister for Commerce and Industry, Rishad Bathiudeen was also present on the occasion, a message received here from Colombo on Monday said. While addressing the gathering at Puthukudiyiruppu village, the High Commissioner said that he was very grateful to the Government of Sri Lanka and Minister for Commerce and Industry, Rishad Bathiudeen for arranging his visit to the area.

The assistance being given by the Government was greatly appreciated by the people of the area. The High Commissioner underscored that the Government of Pakistan has sponsored many projects in health, education and livelihood sectors in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's contribution to several projects in Sri Lanka reflected the desire of the people and Government of Pakistan to assist the people at the grass root level in Sri Lanka, he added.

Syed Shakeel Hussain also reiterated the Government of Pakistan's continued commitment to assist Sri Lanka in rehabilitation and development efforts.

Minister for Commerce and Industry Rishad Bathiudeen, speaking on the occasion, expressed his gratitude to the Government and the people of Pakistan for sponsoring the housing project which was being built for the people who were displaced during the internal war in Sri Lanka.

He further added that Pakistan was a close friend of Sri Lanka and had always supported them in their difficulties at all forums. The ground-breaking ceremony of Pakistan Housing Project for the rehabilitation of war affected homeless people of the Northern Province was held in 2014.

The Government of Pakistan had provided US $ 1 million for construction of 230 houses for homeless families from Puthukudyruppu, Narikaddu and Moddaikadai villages. A large number of people from local communities and media representatives were present on the occasion.