A better tomorrow
Various development projects are
being launched in the North, after the Province was liberated from the
clutches of LTTE terror a couple of months ago.
Despite some concocted stories by a handful of opportunist
politicians and certain International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs)
with vested interests, the masses are now overjoyed with the sweeping
changes that are taking place in the Northern Province.
Perhaps, the conditions in the camps for Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) may not seem impressive to politicians such as Jayalath
Jayawardane, who even used to take off his shoes when entering
cemeteries of the fallen LTTE terrorists, during Velupillai
Prabhakaran's terror rule.
The International Community and even certain INGOs which had been
critical of the Government during the recent humanitarian operations,
have openly commended the improved facilities at the IDP camps.
Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa has
been working tirelessly to ensure a better tomorrow for over 250,000
civilians who had been rescued from the jaws of LTTE terror. His dynamic
leadership has been an inspiration to make the 'Northern Spring' a
resounding success.
Despite the heavy flow of civilians who were rescued by the Security
Forces during the recent humanitarian operations, the Government spared
no pains to provide food and shelter to civilians who have been
subjected to numerous harassments during Prabhakaran's ruthless rule.
The conditions at the IDP camps have improved tremendously as the
Government employed its state mechanism to meet the challenge. Having
successfully met the initial challenge in housing those displaced at
camps, the Government's next aim is to resettle them speedily.
Apart from providing displaced persons with permanent shelter and
finding them a suitable livelihood, the Government is also keen on
improving the infrastructure facilities to strengthen the rural economy
in those areas.
The Government intends to get the people in the North and the East
actively involved in strengthening the country's national economy.
In addition, the Government, under the illustrious leadership of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has taken steps to restore democracy in the
North, as it was successfully accomplished in the East. The Local
Government elections in Jaffna and Vavuniya on August 8, will enable
people in those areas to elect their own representatives to the two
Local Government bodies.
No sooner the entire Northern Province is cleared of landmines and
the resettlement process is completed, elections to the Northern
Provincial Council too would take place.
Meaningful steps have been taken to facilitate the well-being of
thousands of people who fled due to terrorist attacks in Weli-Oya -Padaviya.
They too will be resettled before the end of the month.
The Government is making every effort to reduce the cost-of-living in
the North and develop the province and bring it on par with the Western
Province. The first new Lak Sathosa outlet was opened in Jaffna last
week to provide essential commodities at concessionary rates to
consumers.
Massive development in the telecommunication sector is also under
way.
Telecommunication firms setting up networks in the North and the East
are being encouraged to share infrastructure under a new rebuilding plan
of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), headed by
Priyantha Kariyapperuma.
It would be mandatory for at least three operators to share the cost
of installing and running network towers, of which the first would be a
172-metre tower to be erected in the newly-liberated Kokavil. The TRC-funded
Rs. 150 million- project, designed in the shape of a pyramid, will be
launched this week. The tower, to be completed before the end of this
year, will beam television, radio, wireless and cellular services.
In a bid to develop the telecommunication sector in the North and
link the province to other parts of the island, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT)
too would strengthen its fibre optic cable network. One such cable that
runs from the Northern area of Mannar to Vavuniya, which was damaged
during LTTE terror, would soon be repaired. Another fibre optic line
would be laid along the A-9 highway that links the South to Jaffna.
Meanwhile, cinema goers in the North and East will be privileged to
view films in cinema halls, which was taboo by the LTTE, when they
controlled most parts of the two provinces.The eight film halls in the
area would be restored under Government patronage, providing
entertainment to tens of thousands of cinema goers. The LTTE terrorists
not only destroyed cinema halls but also prevented the Tamil community
of their right to entertainment.
This will undoubtedly be a new experience for youth in the North, who
only witnessed brutal attacks of LTTE terror for the past 30 years. If
we could mobilise the services of these youth for the betterment of the
country, Sri Lanka could reach greater heights in economic development.
Though nature has gifted the Northern and Eastern parts of the island
with fertile soil, these Provinces had been unable to contribute towards
agricultural development since the late 70s due to LTTE terror.With the
eradication of terrorism, the two provinces would provide a substantial
agricultural harvest to the market in the near future. Early indications
are encouraging - a rich fishing harvest from the East and agro products
from the North. Certain countries and INGOs who were unwilling to
support the Government during the recent humanitarian operations have
now endorsed President Rajapaksa's far-sightedness. They now agree that
the Government had taken the most appropriate decision in rescuing
innocent civilians.
It is the duty of all peace-loving people here and across the globe
to wholeheartedly support the Government's commitment to provide a
better tomorrow for those in the North. |