Where have NGO funds gone?

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Despite the presence of several foreign-funded non-governmental organizations, no development had taken place in Kilinochchi for the past few years”, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

“None of these organizations have built community centres, roads, houses or have provided electricity, water or other facilities to the people in the area.

Speaking to the Western Province Three Wheel Drivers’ Association at “Temple Trees” yesterday he said that what the NGOs have done in the past few years was just to build a culvert. “For this they have spent Rs. 1.5 million,” he said. “However, administrative centres for the LTTE and well built bunkers clearly show where all the attention was focused on,” he said. “In Kilinochchi I saw the modern bunker used by Thamilselvan and by looking at it I got the message where all the consignments of steel and cement were diverted to,” he pointed out.

The President also told the gathering that he visited Kilinochchi last Thursday to take the Sinhala Avurudu to the forces who were posted there. We have a responsibility to provide facilities and infrastructure to all the people and the government was getting credit from overseas, for this reason.

For the first time five harbours have been simultaneously built in addition to the massive power generation projects and other mass development that is taking place in the country.

Two agreements have been signed for additional power generation projects in Trincomalee. Despite spending for the war, development too had been going on with funding for 700,000 government employees. Commenting on three wheel drivers he assured that their welfare too will be considered and several benefits were being offered to them.

President also noted that in addition to providing transport, three wheel drivers too act like unofficial security officers.