Normalcy returns to war-ravaged areas

by P.Krishnaswamy

Life has returned to normalcy in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar, the most affected districts by the war with the speedy resettlement of IDPs and restoration of civil administration, the Government Agents of the districts told the Sunday Observer.

Schools, health services and transport services have started functioning and facilities have been provided in the production sector for agriculture and fishing. Infrastructure facilities have been provided under the 'Uthuru Vasanthaya' program and development programs are implemented under the directions of the Governor for the Northern province Maj.Gen. G.A.Chandrasiri, the Government Agent, Mullaitivu, Imelda Sugumar said.

Thirty schools are fully functioning with 2,967 students and 404 teachers in attendance. Paddy cultivation has commenced by 2000 families in 4000 acres in the Thunukkai area. Paddy cultivation in Manthai has been started by 1000 families in 2000 acres. Agricultural implements donated by India were distributed to the farmers. Rs.4,000 per acre for ploughing was paid by the Government, seed paddy was supplied free and fertilisers at subsidised rates, the GA said.

Six NGOs have started their humanitarian work and 500 drinking/irrigation wells already having been cleaned. Houses will be constructed under WB funding, the GA said. Under WB approval for the year 2009, 2700 houses are to be constructed. The Water Resources Board has started supplying drinking water and there is no drinking water problem, she said. Almost all the roads are motorable with transport services functioning uninterrupted. A total number of 4859 families comprising 14,622 IDPs have already been resettled in Thunukkai, Mandhai, Oddusuddan and the West side of A9 highway, the GA said.

The resettling families are disbursed with an initial amount of Rs.10,000 to be followed by subsequent payments of Rs.20,000 and Rs.50,000 by the Bank of Ceylon and the People's Bank. Dry rations are issued to families for six months, she said. In the Kilinochchi district, normalcy has returned in four AGA divisions and all four AGA offices are functioning, GA Ms Ketheeswaran said. A total of 5631 families comprising 15,874 IDPs have been resettled in Karachchi, Pooneryn, Pachchilaipalli and Kandawalai divisions with more IDPs being transported regularly from Vavuniya IDP welfare centres for resettlement, she said.

With irrigation facilities available from the Iranamadhu Tank, paddy cultivation in 2000 acres in Karachchi is to be targeted, the GA said. With the availability of irrigation facility from the Kariyalainagapaduvan Tank, paddy cultivation in 500 acres is targeted in Pooneryn Division. Other highland crops like groundnuts and maize are to be cultivated in 300 acres, the GA said.

There was no water problem for the farmers and all facilities including free seed paddy, payment for ploughing, subsidised fertilisers and free agricultural implements are being extended to the farmers, she said adding that disbursement of payments for the resettles and issue of dry rations are the same as in other war-ravaged districts. Mannar GA Nicholas Pillai said that resettlement in the two divisions of the district where people were displaced, the resettlement was taking place in pace with the de-mining process.

Over 25,000 acres of paddy lands have already been cultivated in the Rice Bowl area where the Giant Tank is located, he said.

The same facilities from Government as explained above are being provided to farmers and resettlers, according to the GA. Paddy cultivation has been started in other areas as well. Fishermen in Mannar town have started going to the sea. Jungles lands in Musali have been cleared for cultivation, the GA said.