New condominiums instead of shell-riddled buildings:

'Northern Spring', the mega development plan:

A new era dawns

Identifying priorities,the key factor:

Restoration of health services :

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Resettlement process

Focusing on the current development initiative the socio-economic development realised through the 'Mahinda Chinthana' concept is visible everywhere. In place of shell and mortar-riddled buildings, new condominiums are springing up. President Rajapaksa's name is etched in history as the only leader who gave political leadership to defeat the world's most ruthless terrorist organisation and unite the country. He has embarked on an ambitious program to ensure development and reconciliation for a united nation.

The massive resettlement program inaugurated in the aftermath of the victory over terrorism drew the attention of the world. That itself became a yardstick to measure the success of the Government's machinery launched to support those resettling under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The development work was carried out by the Government, even while the war against terrorism was going on.

The mega development project, 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' ('Northern Spring') was launched by the Government, operated under the Task Force appointed by President Rajapaksa was keen to achieve realistic targets on deadlines.

A new house under 'Northern Spring' program

The 'Northern Spring' was the mega development program catering to the needs of all five Northern districts. Infrastructure development, electricity, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, irrigation, livestock development, inland fisheries, health, solid waste disposal, education, sports, cultural affairs and transportation are some of the areas that will be included under the program.

Priorities

Identifying priorities is the key factor in properly implementing such a mega project. Without depending on secondary information the Presidential Task Force, chaired by Minister Basil Rajapaksa, met local government authorities, villagers, displaced people at welfare centres, to get a clear picture of the respective localities in order to line up the priorities.

'Northern Spring' mega development plan focused on three main aspects security, resettlement and infrastructure development. It was implemented in three stages 180-days program, short term plan and the long term plan.

Under the first step, the 180-day program, resettling Internally Displaced persons started immediately after their homelands were liberated and demined. Major part of the de-mining activities is conducted by the Sri Lanka Army and several Non-Governmental Organisations.

New water supply schemes, restoration of electricity in those areas, which were key components in developing towns and villages for resettlement, were successfully carried out under the 'Northern Spring'. Resettlement was the most complicated process.

Resettlement plan

The resettlement that took place in 2009 was basically to resettle those who were accommodated in the welfare centre in Manik Farm.

The government handled the operations by initiating priority policies and strategies to effectively carry out the task and it was not an ad hoc arrangement. That is why the government under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was able to make a significant achievement in the resettlement of displaced persons.

Demining operations

The Sri Lankan resettlement plan was not merely sending the people back to their homelands.

The Government provided transport to all those returning to their villages from the welfare centres. Each family was given a package of dry food items such as rice, sugar, macaroni, green peas, wheat flour etc with vegetable oil and vegetables. Separately they were given another package of clothing items, basic medicinal items, biscuits, milk powder, tea leaves plates and cups as per the number of members in the family.

Until they were properly settled down in their villages the line ministries through the District Secretaries will provide them with their requirements.

In addition to this, more than 35,000 wells were either reconstructed or repaired in the Northern Province to give potable water to the people resettled in their original homesteads.

They were provided with clean toilets and other sanitary facilities for a clean environment.

Schools in the Northern Province had no roofs. Now, after rehabilitation and reconstruction almost all the schools are functioning. The government has spent more than 1.3 billion rupees to repair the schools.

According to officials the four criteria resettlement was implemented. The first, resettlement process was voluntary. Second, displaced persons had to be resettled in their original places of habitation.

Third, the process should be dignified and safe and the fourth, the Sri Lanka Army's help was utilised was used for the resettlement.

The restoration of the health services in these five provinces which were badly damaged during the 30 years of war against terrorism. Restoring the health care services included renovation of damaged health institutions, reconstruction of new buildings and procurement of equipment. The total expenditure for rehabilitation of health care between 2009-2011 amounts to approximately Rs. 2,135 million and almost Rs. 9,254 million has been allocated for ongoing projects, most of it almost getting completed.

Comparing the capital allocation and per capita expenditure in the health sector during this period with other provinces it shows an impressive record. The net result is malnutrition in children of-ages 1-2 years has been significantly reduced and the number of dengue cases reported between 2010 to 2012 reduced compared to other provinces.

Investment

The government has made substantial investment to improve connectivity. All major highways are being rehabilitated. These include major roads, provincial roads and rural roads. The total investment is Rs. 7,500 million.

In agriculture, the Government's action plan is a tremendous success. It is the most vital economic sector providing basic food security, and livelihood for 80% of the population. The revival included restoration of the entire irrigation network, clearing of abandoned paddy lands and the supply of inputs for agriculture. 90% of abandoned cultivable paddy lands are now cleared. The extent of land for agriculture increased to 193,200 acres and a production of 212,722 metric tons of paddy has been recorded.

Under the umbrella of 'Uthuru Wasanthaya', the 180 days program, major and minor irrigation systems and canals came under repair. Grants were allocated for repair and reconstruction work of irrigation systems in all the five districts.

With the revitalisation of farming communities in these provinces, seed paddy was issued free to farmers as the resettlement progressed. In addition they were also facilitated with monetary grants to assist them in preparing their lands for cultivation. Focus was on promoting home gardening as well as backyard poultry among these communities. And the usage of organic fertilizer was encouraged too. Depending on individual requirements, farmers were also provided with push bicycles and water pumps.

Establishing dairy villages as people slowly resettled was another boost to the livelihood activities. The private sector also got involved in this effort.

Milk trade outlets and milk collecting centres were built. A lot of resources were available in these areas and by effectively getting the optimum use of these resources the agriculture sector of the province was revitalized very successfully.

Reminiscing the past, the revival of the North and Eastern Provinces has been a remarkable process. The path taken to rise from the ashes was not an easy one for the Government and particularly to its leader. Amidst all the question marks raised during the processes pointed towards the leader of the country as the Government had to meet a huge expense in these development activities. Thus it was not an easy road for both parties - Government and the people.

Today we can witness the achievements. Few more steps needed to be taken to provide the demands of the educated youth of these communities who will complete their secondary and tertiary education.

The rest needed to be done has been done to make the lives of these people comfortable. In general, life is never going to be easy. There will be never ending problems. Yet what is important is having a conducive environment to meet these demands. That we believe is well established.