Two years after eradication of terrorism:

Mullaitivu recovers steadily

By Gamini WARUSHAMANA

K. Manoharan, a goldsmith in Mullaitivu town makes jewellery. He sells a pendant at Rs.300.

His shop is situated next to the newly opened Seylan Bank branch, the first private commercial bank which began operations in this coastal town in the Northern province.

"Although banks have opened, we don't have money to save, he said.

Since the livelihoods of people have still not recovered and as they don't have money to purchase gold, the demand for imitation jewellery is high, he said.

Additional District Secretary of Mullaitivu C.A. Mohanras said that development in the district is slow compared to other districts in the North.

The district is recovering slowly but steadily.

This is the area where the final battle was fought and therefore, the devastation is huge.

On the other hand, this is the largest district in the North with five DS divisions, he said.

Business in Mullaitivu

Traders in the town, attribute two reasons for low business turnover: the meagre population due to all the displaced not returning and people not having an income.

According to statistics, prior to the conflict the population of the district was 121,000 and now it is only 73,000.

Only a few shops have opened in Mullaitivu town but all kinds of goods and services are available.

The town is not bustling as yet.

There are signs of improvement, such as buildings being constructed, telephone and mobile phone connectivity, restored electricity supply and more importantly, the arrival of banks and financial institutions.

T. Sekar who runs a tailoring shop in the town said that his business is improving.

The demand is mainly for school uniforms. For business to flourish people should have jobs.

It is only the fishing industry that is restored, while agriculture has not yet fully recovered, he said.

A hawker who migrated from Kattankudi in Batticaloa predicts that the situation will improve fast.

He sells garments in the open area in front of the District Secretariat.

He also said that people don't have money to buy goods and he earns Rs.2000-3000 on a good day.

Mobile telephone services and SLT telephone and broadband connectivity are available in Mullaitivu town.

Mobile operators have already covered most parts of the district.

Their main market is the large number of security forces members in the area. Royal Net Cafe, a mobile phone and pre paid air time retail shop was full of customers, mainly soldiers.

All brands of the latest mobile phones were available for sale.

Vasantham Printers at the Mullaitivu bus stand provides an internet service.

There are three computers with high speed SLT ADSL internet connections.

The owner said that the demand is still low and only a few people come to browse the internet.

One nation

The Security Forces Commander in Mullaitivu, Major General Leonard Mark said that the situation in Mullaitivu is different compared to other districts.

This was the main stronghold of the LTTE, where the LTTE had recruited a child from every family. People here were sympathetic towards the LTTE.

Therefore, after the end of terrorism our main effort is to change their mindset and make them believe that we are one nation.

We are specially looking at the younger generation and the army organises various programs for them. Recently we began a student exchange program between schools and allowed children from Mullaitivu to visit Colombo and the South to meet their counterparts.

Last month a group of students visited a leading school in Kegalle.

The impact of this program is huge. In addition to hospitality and friendship, students who had only one school uniform had got gifts including material for uniforms, worth over Rs.25,000.

They were extremely happy and as soon as they returned they hugged, our women corps and thanked the army for organising the trip.

We have built a good relationship with the community and the army is helping fishing, agriculture and other livelihoods of the people, he said.

Major General Mark said that the standard of living of the people in the district is improving with government agencies returning to the district.

Infrastructure facilities should be improved. Banks are opening branches which are essential for the improvement of livelihoods of the people.

Re-settlement

According to Mohanras, of the 127 Grama Niladari (GN) divisions 27,000 families have been resettled in 104 divisions. De-mining is under way in the other 23 divisions and resettlement will start once they are cleared and the UN certifies that the areas are safe. The health sector is improving and urban hospitals have restarted with basic facilities. However, in rural areas we failed to achieve our target. We are expecting funds from agencies. Schools have opened but infrastructure should be improved, he said.

Mohanras said that lack of human resources is the major issue in all sectors and is the a main reason for slow development in the district.

The Government provides funds and every assistance but these issues cannot be solved immediately.

There is an acute shortage of medical staff and teachers in the district.

The situation is pathetic, people are reluctant to come and serve here. Even residents are looking to leave the area for greener pastures.

Professionals in the Tamil diaspora who enjoy luxuries in developed countries have the opportunity to serve here.

There is no issue of ethnicity and a large number of Sinhala doctors serve in the North and the East.

Connectivity

Dilapidated roads and poor connectivity is the serious stumbling block to development in the Mullaitivu district.

Mohanras said that a master plan has been prepared for road development in the district.

The ADB has provided funds but the construction of roads is taking place slowly.

All main roads linking inner villages of Mullaitivu to the A 9 highway are gravelled.

Transportation in dusty roads with pot-holes is extremely difficult.

Only private buses operate within the district and a senior army officer said that we should thank the bus operators for the service they render.

Mohanras said that the SLTB has agreed to start a bus service in the district and it will help to control arbitrary bus fares charged by private operators.

A senior army officer said that the red tape of RDA engineers is the main reason for the slow progress in road construction.

He said that this matter has been highlighted by the army on several occasions with no result.

After heavy rains in January - March this year, all roads in the district have dilapidated.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered that these roads to be repaired, only roads constructed by private contractors were repaired. The roads of Mankulam Mullaitivu and Oddusudan-Mullawelli which are not motorable.

The RDA is responsible for the situation which affects overall development of the district, he said.

Livelihoods

Fishing and agriculture are the main livelihoods of the people and without their recovery other small industries and businesses cannot develop.

The Fisheries sector has recovered upto some extent and there are 540 fishing boats and 72 giant nets in Mullaitivu.

However, the fishing industry has not reached its full potential and there is a shortage of boats and engines.

According to Mohanras recovery in the agriculture sector is slow.

Paddy farming in the last Maha season was successful but the price of paddy has dropped to Rs.22-23/kg.

Highland crops were affected by heavy rain and farmers incurred losses. Now the situation is much better and red onion and chilli farmers get a high price, Mohanras said.

Housing

Housing facilitiesis another issue that needs consideration and the district needs 22,396 houses.

The World Bank has agreed to provide 2,307 houses and of them 1,573 houses have been completed. Agencies have committed for 4,880 houses. Residents await the much hyped Indian housing program. There are a lot of issues that are still waiting to be addressed by the authorities and seriously hinder development programs.

One is the non availability of accommodation facilities for officials of government agencies and NGOs who visit regularly.

They have to stay in Vavuniya, Medawachchiya or Anuradhapura and are inconvenienced with time consuming travelling.

Most of the top government officials and their staff are privileged to have lodging and food from Army camps.

However, this has become a burden to the military as they do not receive an additional allocation to cater to a large number of visitors.

A senior army officer said they have to share the rations provided for army personnel.

Government agencies should construct circuit bungalows or invite and provide special concessions to private contractors to build such facilities immediately to address these issues.

Social issues

There are serious social issues to which government agencies have already paid attention.

There are 3,264 widows in the Mullaitivu district and Mohanras said that the issue has already been identifieded and various organisations have discussed solutions.