'EP ready to overcome challenges, and discharge its duties'

Text / Pix by Ashraff A. SamadDehiwela - Mount Laviniya Spl. cor.

"We appreciate the steps taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to restructure Central-Provincial relations and formulate a mechanism to ensure the flow of resources from the Centre to the Province as set out in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Devolution of power was widely recognised as an important governance mechanism for 'power sharing," said the newly appointed Eastern Provincial Chief Minister Engineer Nasheer Ahamed addressing a function at Eastern Provincial District Development Meeting on February 24 at Trincomalee Kachcheri. From time immemorial, the Eastern Province (EP) has rendered yeoman service to the country for its prosperity and food security by devoting its precious resources. The Eastern Province now possesses has the resources to face the challenges in exercising and discharging its role in adherence to the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.

"The need for coordinated effort by Central and Provincial agencies to deal with development and other challenges has been emphasised in several forums. In view of the critical nature of this requirement, I would urge the Minister once more to explore how we can achieve even better coordination between the Centre and Province," he said.

Karu Jayasuriya Minister of Buddha Sasana, Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Democratic Governance, Austin Fernando the Governor of Eastern Province, Members of Eastern Provincial Council, Chief Secretary, District Secretaries, Chairmen of local authorities also participated. The Chief Minister said that the Government of Sri Lanka has been consistent in its commitment to maintaining democracy across the country and thus undertook all necessary measures to bring about the most significant development in the Eastern Province by the establishment of democracy via a pluralistic political process and restoring Civil Administration.

After a lapse of nearly 20 years on May 10, 2008, Provincial Council Elections were held establishing the Eastern Province Provincial Council, the implementation of several infrastructure projects in the past in Eastern Province has progressed well. The "Revival of East" and various development initiatives which aimed at improving the living standards and creating employment to the youth have also achieved a fair measure of success. These are all welcome developments.

He also said that time has now come to view the challenges of development, and governance issues in a holistic manner.

I think each one of us needs to be completely objective in our approach to these issues, acting in national interest rising above narrow political and ideological divides.

I would appeal to all political parties and all sections of society to work together to find effective ways and means of meeting these challenges.

District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries play a dual role in representing the Central Government and Provincial Councils and their cooperation is vital in sharing powers between the Central Government and Provincial Councils.

We fully support the President's vision of a democratic structure based on the principles of good governance for growth that will empower the provinces to achieve their developmental aspirations with rejuvenated vigour and enthusiasm. It shall also enable all provinces to optimally utilise their resources to leverage Sri Lanka to its rightful place in the global arena.

Local Government

Eastern Province constitutes three Municipal Councils, five Urban Councils and 37 Pradeshiya Sabhas. Subject of local government administration comes under the purview of the Provincial Council. These local bodies have been entrusted with the responsibility of providing services to the local community which involves in community health services and social welfare facilities.

Their role in creating healthy environment especially green cities is highly commendable.

Fiscal devolution to local authorities presents an opportunity to improve accountability, to hold local politicians to account for their successes and failures. Therefore to improve democracy it is appropriate to initiate action for fiscal devolution and grant Eastern Provincial Council requisite powers for raising as well as spending money locally.

This would enhance the standing of local democracy and facilitate the extension of democracy throughout the country thereby contributing towards the establishment of a good governance structure.

However, the Central Government's financing arrangements clearly undermine the role of Provincial Council in local government administration. It is desired that if action be taken, to channel the financial resources to local bodies in Eastern Province through Eastern Provincial Council.

Furthermore, action need to be taken to strengthen the financial and advisory committees of local authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in local authorities functions.

Sri Lanka has been able to maintain overall health indicators at satisfactory levels despite conflict situation and economic downturns experienced in the past. Action was taken to rehabilitate and reconstruct the health infrastructure facilities and develop and expand the health sector human resources. More doctors and para medical staff were recruited enabling health services reach the disadvantaged areas of the province. Action need to be taken to combat new health challenges such as emergence of Non Communicable diseases, Dengue and Chronic Kidney Disease.

We are aware of the fact that an increasing number of our youths are becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol.

We are also aware of the negative consequences of drug use and alcoholism in family life and social security. Increased usage of drugs and alcoholism has resulted in an increase of crime rate and gang violence.

We will initiate action in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies and community based organisations and focus our resources to eradicate this menace from our society and promote an environment free of illicit drugs and alcoholism.

Eastern Province primarily being an agriculture based economy is largely dependent on irrigation networks for growth and development. The overall objective of the agriculture sector development programs is to achieve self sufficiency in food production, thereby ensuring food security and provide better living standards for the local population. Agricultural development of this province depends on seasonal rainwater stored in the tanks for the rest of the year.

Investment promotion

The Eastern Provincial Council is implementing an Investment Promotion Program, which aligns the policy priorities of the Eastern Provincial Council with the expectations of investors including private and foreign investors by implementing a set of policy measures for investment promotion, facilitation of the investment process, assisting in monitoring of regulatory clearances, human resource development and acceleration of infrastructure development.

We would greatly appreciate the assistance and cooperation of Central Government to promote Eastern Province as an attractive investment destination in this country.

Tourism

Tourism in the Eastern Province is one of the industries hardest hit by the conflict and with the end the conflict Eastern Province is poised to become one of most preferred tourist destination in the world. The Eastern coast is famous for its white beaches and water sports such as surfing.