1. High Commissioner H.E. Ashok K. Kantha visited Eastern Province from 24-27 May covering all three districts, Trincomalee, Batticalao and Ampara.  Hon’ble Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan hosted a lunch in honour of High Commissioner where he interacted with Chairman and other Members of the Eastern Provincial Council. Hon’ble Governor Rear Admiral (Retd.) Mohan Wijewickrama hosted a breakfast meeting for High Commissioner where he briefed him on the situation in the Province. High Commissioner separately interacted with leaders and other representatives of SLFP, UNP, SLMC, ACMC, NC, TNA and TMVP as also religious leaders and members of civil society. He also had meetings with Security Forces Commander (East) and Commander Eastern Naval Area.

2. High Commissioner reviewed projects of Indian assistance currently being undertaken in the Province. He also held wide ranging discussions with various stakeholders to assess the impact of these projects on the ground and understand local priorities and requirements in order to further expand India’s development assistance.

3. In an event on 25 May at Onthachimadam (Batticaloa), Hon’ble Chief Minister and High Commissioner inaugurated a Vocational Training Centre set up under Indian assistance of SLR 76 million. The Centre will train persons for repair of outboard motors, tractors, agricultural implements, two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Earlier on 20 April, during the visit of the Parliamentary delegation from India, another Vocational Training Centre in Vantharamullai (Batticaloa) with a total assistance of SLR 250 million had been handed over.

4. High Commissioner also handed over a total of 15 trishaws to war-affected women in two separate events at Valachennai (Batticaloa) and Akaraipattu (Ampara) on 25 May and 26 May respectively. During the event at Valachennai, Hon’ble Chief Minister handed over certificates to 40 Master trainers under an Indian assisted project for training of war-affected women in various vocational skills for self-employment being implemented through SEWA. These Master trainers have undergone extensive training in India and will be imparting skills training in seven vocational trades to another 800 grassroot trainers in Eastern Province. The Project, which would continue till February 2014, is expected to make a significant impact towards empowerment of war-affected women in Eastern Province.

5. High Commissioner also discussed implementation of the Housing Project, which would involve construction of about 4,000 houses in the Eastern Province, with various stakeholders, including potential beneficiary communities.

6. During the visit, High Commissioner offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Batticaloa. Tributes were also offered by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mayor of Batticaloa and Chairman of Gandhi Sabha.

7. Apart from Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara, High Commissioner also visited Kalmunai, Kattankudy, Siharam, Onthachimadam, Valachennai and Akaraipattu where he interacted with local communities and representatives of local bodies.

8. The objective of the visit to the Eastern Province was to understand the ground situation in the Province and explore opportunities to further develop economic, cultural and people-to-people links with that part of Sri Lanka.