Spirit of entrepreneurship:

Resurgence in Mullaitivu

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Mullaitivu

People in the Mullaitivu district who were living under a dictator for 30 years are now breathing a sigh of relief and living far better than they had ever done and enjoying luxuries that they never knew existed.

The people were forced to live according to the wims and fancies of LTTE leader Prabhakaran and were forced to think that all other communities were against the Tamil people and were asked to fight an unsuccessful battle against them. Not only did they have to pay taxes, provide food and build bunkers for the LTTE, they had to even sacrifice their children to the terror group.

However, today people are given the chance to think freely and the entrepreneurship of the people is clearly visible. The Sri Lanka Army that led a humanitarian operation and rescued these people and gave them a new lease of life keeps on paying a major role in reconciliation. M. G. Nuzam from Mullaitivu says that today he gets better returns for his catch and is looking out to buy a better boat.

S. Thangaweli who has started her own garment shop says that she is now supplying her products to Mullaitivu town and is looking at expanding. “I have a workforce of six and by the end of the year this would be increased to 10,” she said.

Secretary to the Mullaitivu Traders Association, S. Shivalingam said the shops were closed for almost two years, but now big players such as Arpico, Sri Lanka Insurance, Hatton National, Seylan and State banks, Nestle chilling plant, DSI, Abans, Singer, CIC and PC House have already set up branches which prove that business opportunities are in abundance. Two private companies are planning to set up two ice plants to serve the fisheries sector while an Indian company is looking at investing in the roof tile manufacturing factory. “What we now need is vocational training schools so that youth could be accomplished to meet the future HR demands,” he said.

He also said that the role played by the Army in the area is praiseworthy and their presence has given them the confidence to invest and carry on their day-to-day life happily.

The change of mindset of the people is amazing and today they are very friendly and grateful to the Forces who ended the 30-year grip of terror on them and help the people to live a life according to their wishes.

The AGA of the area, Thires Kumar says several new companies are set to start up business in the next few months. The A-34 road from Mankulam to Mullaitivu would be completed by the end of this year while the total area would have a carpeted road network by 2013 which would bring in more investors to the area helping the community to have an even bigger ‘cash flow’.

He said that the government is adding key infrastructure to the area which would help the residents. A program to renovate tanks in the Karachchi-Uruthirapuram of Kilinochchi District is nearing completion.

This also included the program of providing employment opportunities for the people of the area to engage in the renovation work on a remunerative employment basis, and commence the harvesting season in Kilinochchi. ”However, he said that electricity is still a gray area and this issue is now being addressed.

The area also needs new inputs to the agriculture sector such as new machinery and hybrid seeds and a better market,” he said.

Meanwhile, Major General J.L.Mark Security Forces Commander of the area said that the Mullaitivu district with six GS divisions has around 33,000 families and before the end of the conflict was completely neglected.

However today the people are living happily. He said that the Army, from a fighting force earlier, has now turned into helping the community to rebuild their lives and get back to business; people appreciate this.

He said that the delay in resettling some of the IDPs was the clearing of landmines as the Army wants to ensure a secure area for the population.

Brigadier Jagath Wijetilleke from the 68th Division of the Army which was engaged in the final battle in Pudikuduirruppu said that they would clear the balance landmines by the end of the year.

He said that the Army has already built over 200 houses and a further 2,224 would be completed by the end of the year.

Each family is given a 40-80 perch land and nurseries and other facilities are provided for these townships. “A Nenasala too would be set up in a few months,” he said.

He said some coconut land is being given over to the people in the area to manage and the Army is also looking at the possibility of introducing a ice plant.

“People are back to business and today over 150 fishing boats are operational after restrictions on fishing have been lifted,” he said.

Following is an overview of development in the Mullaitivu district by the Ministry of Economic Development:

Extent: 2,617 Sqkm
Number of DS Divisions: 5
Population: 112,056
Rs. 1,783.85 million been invested on projects in the Mullaitivu District.
Economic and Infrastructure Facilities Development

Roads and bridges

A sum of Rs. 102.83 million was allocated to rehabilitate 73.39km of roads and 25.39km has been completed.

Water supply

Rs. 90 million has been allocated for the construction of three water supply schemes to improve the drinking water facilities to Oddusudan, Thunukkai and Manthai and work of Rs. 59 Million. has been completed.

Irrigation

Twenty one small tanks have been rehabilitated at a cost of Rs. 2.07 million. Another 23 small tanks will be reconstructed at Rs. 38.20 million and Rs. 60 million was allocated for the rehabilitation of Thenniyan Kulam tank and 35 percent of work has been completed so far.

Agriculture

A sum of Rs. 3.52 million was allocated to develop pulses and yam cultivation and 1,750 farmers will benefit from these projects. A sum of Rs. 11.72 million was allocated to reconstruct nine agri-buildings. In addition, Rs. 14.5 million was allocated to build eight fertiliser and two food and paddy storing houses.

Livestock

A sum of Rs. 3.54 million was allocated to promote livestock and two veterinary office buildings will be reconstructed with an investment of Rs. 4 million.

Cooperative development

Nine MPCS buildings will be reconstructed with Rs. 34.66 million and Rs. 6.27 million has been spent on the work so far.

Religious institutions

A sum of Rs. 4 million was allocated to build six religious buildings in Thunnukai and Manthai DS Divisions.

Skills development

Rs. 9 million has been invested for skills development. Already 118 persons have been trained at a cost of Rs. 7.82 million. Another 50 persons are to be trained.

Demining

In Mullaitivu district 218 villages will be demined while mine clearing in 96 villages has been completed. Demining is in progress in another 110 villages. Mines are to be cleared in 12 more villages.

Resettlement

A total of 19,259 families in all five DS Divisions have been resettled. They were provided 51,232 cement bags, 116,600 roofing sheets and 14,560 parcels containing dry food items. Another 12,811 families are to be resettled. A sum of Rs. 265.38 million has been reserved for 9,147 resettled families in 85 GN Divisions.

Housing

Construction of 1,808 houses is under way. With Indian assistance 12,500 houses will be reconstructed and 613 houses have been completed.

Education

A sum of Rs. 13.44 million was allocated to construct buildings for 14 schools and improve facilities.

Development of common amenities

A sum of Rs. 25.72 million was allocated to set up seven public buildings and four post offices will be built at a cost of Rs. 16.04 million.

Three bus stands will be set up at a cost of Rs. 9.76 million.