Solidarity with Govt brings dividends to Jaffna islanders

By Ranil Wijayapala in Jaffna

Thousands of people living in the islands off Jaffna have realised that it was only through their solidarity with the existing administration in the country that they can solve the problems they were undergoing for decades and and not by demanding them through agitations and protests.

The ferry boats which shuttle between the islands

Like many other people in the North in the mainland in the peninsula they don't have thousands of hopes to be fulfilled. What they wish is to have their basic requirements to lead a better life and a peaceful life atmosphere in their villages.

The common voice of the people there is that those who are talking highly about their rights are not there to solve their problems but to survive from their problems.

"We don't have many hopes in our lives. What we need is to have a peaceful life here in islands with our basic requirement. We feel that we are getting those requirements step by step ", a resident of Delft awaiting to board on a boat heading towards the island said.

The four years of peaceful environment after the defeat of LTTE terrorism has given them that environment for them though all their problems have not yet been addressed hundred percent. But there are strong signs that all their issues will be addressed in a proper way through the government machineries.

The areas which had no sign of development is now exposed to the development drive like any other area in the country with huge government buildings coming up in the islands bringing all the government service at their door steps.

May be it is a difficult task to address their issues as the sea that separate them from the main lands stands as a stumbling block in solving those issues. But that obstacle has been effectively overcome by the Government authorities when fulfilling the basic requirement of these people.

The accessibility to these islands has been improved tremendously during the past few years clearing all the barriers that were existed there at the gateways to the islands through the causeway to the Kayts island.

The Kurikadduwan pier which creates the main links to the islands of Nainathivu and Delft is having enough boats to reach the two destinations. When dozens of boats are transporting the regular crowds to the Nainathivu or famously known Nagadeepa the ferry service run by the Road Development Authority and two other boats one owned by the Cooperative Society and another privately owned boat are facilitating the transport facilities for more than 4,500 people living in Delft island.

A barge that can transport vehicles to the Nainathivu island is now being constructed to facilitate the transportation of their vehicles to the Nainathivu island and is ready to be launched soon to improve individual transport facilities within the Nainathivu island.

The sea ambulance made available at Kurikadduwan and Delft island have lessened the fears about the transportation of patients in emergency situations to the main island.

The people in Delft island who lived harmoniously with the Sri Lanka Navy is enjoying their freedom as almost all their basic requirement are being fulfilled through the government machineries and also with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Though located nearly ten kilometers away from the Kurikadduwan pier the Delft island is enjoying the 24 hour uninterrupted power supply through the Ceylon Electricity Board run generators installed in the Delft island.

According to officials the Government has taken measures to provide 95 per cent of the population living in Jaffna islands with electricity even at a time the population in Jaffna mainland were not enjoying that facility.

According to Minister Douglas Devananda a program has already been launched to address the issue of drinking water in Jaffna islands. Sixteen tanks are being rehabilitated in Karainagar, Kytes, Velanai and Delft islands while dredging other minor tanks and ponds to store rain water.

The dredging of the tanks in the Delft island has been undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army to improve the water storage in the island during rainy season. Apart from this project the rehabilitation of tanks in Karainagar and Velani has also been completed to facilitate the process.

The continuous supply of water from the water bowsers operated by the Kaytes, Velani and Delft Pradeshiya Sabhas is helping the people to obtain the much needed drinking water to the people which is considered a burning issue for the people living in the Jaffna islands.

According to Minister Douglas Devananda the Government has allocated Rs. 100 million each for the Velanai, Kaytes and Delft Pradeshiya Sabas to implement programmes to address the basic issues of the people.

These funds will be allocated for the rehabilitation of roads belonging to the Pradeshiya Sabhas, supply of electricity, livestock development, new housing schemes, development of fishing industry and implementation of agricultural projects in those areas.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa is keen to help people in the Jaffna islands as they expressed solidarity with the Government and the President at the last General Election and also at the Local Government election," Minister Douglas Devananda said.