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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Cash scheme by Government The government will introduce an 'immediate cash scheme' within a week to tsunami-affected areas to open shops that were compelled to close due to lack of cash in hand. Secretary to the Treasury Dr P.B. Jayasundara made this comment at the 'recovery' conference held last week organised by the BOI. He said that the government's main intention is to help the affected to get back to normal life as soon as possible without keeping them at relief centres for too long. 'The country is being helped through the current situation with substantial international aid but we do not want to rely on economic crutches for longer than necessary Chairman Peace Secretariat Dr Jayantha Dhanapala said. 'Our desire is to create a future of strong, sustainable growth for a modern unified Sri Lanka. Our actions and the response of the global community over the next few months will determine the attainability of this vision,' he added. Three Presidential Task Forces have been set up to address Relief and Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Law and order issues in an inclusive and transparent process of consultation. Dr Dhanapala said that the government plans to open up opportunities for project, based aid from individuals and organisations from around the world by publishing a list of projects available via the Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation.(TAFREN). 'Larger infrasturture projects will also be made available for international participation on a public- private partnership basis. Such agreements encourage long-term quality investments exactly what the country needs at the moment. With a total of 45 countries having pledged aid we are in the stage of translating them into steady agreements. The government is not only looking at developing the affected areas but the country as a whole, Dr Jayasundara said. 'Also of major national implication is the damage to our coastal fishing industry, where nearly 70 percent of our fishing fleet has been lost. The replacement of these assets represent an excellent opportunity to invest in upgrading the capacity and technology of this traditional sector in which we welcome foreign participation,' Dr Dhanapala said. The people of the country cast aside differences of race, religion and politics and stood shoulder- to- shoulder in the relief effort. They now need to start getting back to normal life. Let this have some purpose.. Dr Jayasundara answering a question said that the country needs relief in debt repayments since we pay about US$500-600 mln annually as debt payments. He said that the government cannot meet all requirements alone as the budget deficit may be higher, but will be funded by the donors. He said that 3 per cent of the GDP will be added to reconstruction and will be funded by the donors. There will be debt rescheduling and moratariums as well . Dr Jayasundara also noted that the Rupee has appreciated three per cent against the Dollar. Senior Advisor to the President Mano Tittawela said that the UDA and NHDA have identified large blocks of government land to build houses for the people who lost their houses. According to estimates 700,000-800,000 houses have been damaged by the tsunami. The housing program will start next week and we hope to have permanent housing in place within a time frame of 3-6 months. Guidelines will be set to ensure the quality of houses while we will offer several options to the people for selection. He gave an assurance that a flexible but reliable scheme will be available for the people. 'You can support us by visiting Sri Lanka and giving us business.' Dr Dhanapala said that the time is now right and the potential unlimited. For building a new and different future he promised that the government will deliver on its promises. Emphasis of the government and the private sector is not to rebuild what we had and lost but build what we never had. For example, highways instead of low roads, fishing villages instead of cadjan huts, well- planned tourist destinations and townships, Sherman Gunatilleke of National Council for Economic Development, said. |
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