The Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation, under the directions of the President as Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, has initiated livelihood development programmes to support the conflict affected community which covers the internally displaced persons, refugee returnees, women headed families, rehabilitated ex-combatants, families of missing persons and low income families. Under this initiative, TholakattiNelli crush production in the Kopay Divisional Secretariat division was supported to construct factory units with quality standards, including machinery at a cost of Rs. 3.5 million. This project has been managed by the Christian Mission where a large number of beneficiaries are benefited, said V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation.
In the Chankanai Divisional Secretariat division, an Anthiranleather production center was supported under the reconciliation programme with modern machinery and technology to produce leather based products including shoes and slippers.
Under the Reconciliation Focused Economic Empowerment programme, a coconut fibre extraction center was supported with modern machinery to extract fibre from coconut shells to use as a substitute for sand to grow plants, while these products are exported to other countries.
In Marathankerney Divisional Secretariat division, in Kudaththenei area, a food production village has been supported with modern machinery and common service facilities, including grinders for different products and packing machinery to market their products to the North and South, establishing the economic and business linkage with the North and South. The total cost of the facilities was Rs.2.8 million and the facilities were formally handed over to the producers cooperative societies, said Secretary, Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation V. Sivagnanasothy.
In the Nagarkovil area, a multi-purpose building was constructed under the Reconciliation Intervention Programme at a cost of Rs. 2.3 million and was handed over on March 5, 2018. This Centre is to be used for training in sewing, food processing, packaging and other related activities. 30 sewing machines were provided to 15 Women Rural Development Societies to conduct diploma classes for women.
The above interventions had helped conflict affected communities in Jaffna to secure employment, improve their income and integrate them into the development mainstream.