People in the North must be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for creating an environment which they can live freely with confidence, said newly appointed Jaffna Urban Council Mayor Mrs. Yogeswari Patgunarajah speaking at their sworn in ceremony as the new Members of the Jaffna Urban Council before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at President's Office yesterday (Oct.12).

Mrs. Patgunarajah said that Tamils have faced many obstacles in the past, but today they have freedom. "We as the new Members of the Council are ready to serve the people in the North, under your leadership and we trust your leadership". She further said that the President has taken all appropriate measures to solve the problems faced by the people in the North and in this regard the Nation should be obliged to the President.

Congratulating the newly appointed Mayor and the councilors who were elected on the UPFA ticket, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the time was right for the people of the North to unite with the South.

‘Political leaders should be responsible for developing the North, as well as the South. The gun culture must end. The ‘Uthuru Vasanthaya’ has initiated projects to develop education, agriculture, fishery industry, health as well as transport facilities. We expect the assistance of everybody to make this development attempts fruitful, President further stated.

Mrs. Yogeswari Patgunarajah was sworn in as the 23rd Mayor of the Jaffna Urban Council along with its members of the Council. Mr. Thureirasa Ilango was sworn in as the Deputy Mayor before President Rajapaksa.