Jaffna needs focused development

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

A focused development programe in Jaffna driven between the private sector public and people can avoid another conflict in the future in Sri Lanka.

Director Economics of the Government Peace Secretariat Rohantha Athukorala said that the country should also change its global perceptions from a war economy to a Peace Economy and that energies can be directed to the more fundamental issues.

"If this is not done some analysts say that another organization similar to the LTTE, could emerge. This view can be justified by the high unemployment levels in Jaffna as well as the falling attendance of the youth for secondary education in the recent past."

"In 1983 there were 247 industrial SMEs in Jaffna but today there are only a mere 34 of them. "The daily catch of fish exceeded 3,000 metric tons at one time is only 200 today. This has resulted in many hardships to the 4,000 fishermen who's only livelihood is fishing. Only 30% of the agricultural lands are being used which explains the challenges that need to be addressed," he said speaking to the`Sunday Observer'.

Increasing the electricity supply, drinking water and communication facilities are areas that have to be addressed soon. "One option recommended by the specialist is to draw a water line from the Iranamadu Tank which need to be strategically evaluated and a speedy action taken the speaker said which further identifies the challenges the country is faced with to drive sustainable peace into the country." "In Jaffna the roads require maintenance, private lands acquired for high security zones need to be formalized and compensation paid so that people believe in the system, which the private sector and the chambers must support," he commented.

Another area that needs focus is sports in Jaffna. Sri Lanka cricket has invested Rs. 10 million to develop the sport in the peninsula after a lapse of almost 25 years with global brands sponsoring programs in many camps.

Athukorala who is also an economist invited the private sector to be part of brand building as there are almost 2,100 retail outlets to service the 598,000 people who live in the peninsula.

Once again a point to note is that security must be maintained especially in the peninsula.

The opening of the A-9 will be a crucial step in the process of bringing in normalcy as many Pettah traders comment that the 125,000 rupees charge one way to Jaffna is exorbitant given that it can be done at 30-50,000 rupees. "One large multinational company dealer had mentioned at a chamber meeting that business can be increased from 35 million to around 60 million rupees in the Jaffna peninsula if there was free access to Jaffna." "Athukorala said that a brand of Ice Cream that is locally made in Jaffna called "RIO" could give a strong challenge to existing brands in the South.

Research done globally has revealed that even though elections are a popular way of communicating peace due to the democratic process in place the insights are that an effective civil administration system can stabilize a system stronger.