Development budget to address North East shortcomings

US$ 1700 million WB and ADB aids for development projects for the next four years

'Uthuru Wasanthaya' to bring prosperity to the North

Salary increase for soldiers in action and 50,000 houses for war heroes proposed

Rs.500 M proposed for resettlement in North

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

[email protected]
 

Amidst heavy constraints the Government will never give up the hope for the best in the future. Along with primary responsibility of securing the land and the people from the iron clutches of the Tigers, the Sri Lanka Army is standing ready to provide the necessary security to these innocent people.

The dark gloomy days are gone; gone beyond the seas. The humane coordination between the civilians and civil and military authorities is exemplary.

It is the wish of every leader of a country to take a fresh path towards an undivided country, a majority consensus and a dignified peace. As President Mahinda Rajapaksa, "I'm aware of all the expectations of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghurs being children of Mother Lanka. These expectations can be made a reality. I possess that confidence. I will certainly fulfil that. Let us love challenges," President Mahinda Rajapaksa concluded his Budget speech at the Parliament last November 06 inviting all the citizens to march together towards a better future for the country.Sri Lanka has reached a stage where we believe, terrorism can be eliminated but forgetting the need for a political settlement.

Initially in a post-conflict situation the early recovery is essential. The people need quick impact projects. Rs. 25,000 million had been spent up to now for the development in the East. Revival of the East was made a reality under Mahinda Chinthanaya.

In mapping out the implementation strategy of the Eastern Revival, the specific development programs have been identified as an effective way to meet the development priorities for the respective districts. The development takes place in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee in an equitable manner taking into account of the population density, territorial extent, prevalence of poverty and the status of under-development.

The Revival Project also connects up with the national level mega infrastructure development projects. They aim at improving the connectivity with other regions. The Eastern revival also focuses on livelihood development which targets expanding livelihood opportunities and improving the living conditions of households at grass-roots levels.

These activities focus mainly on the Maga Neguma, electricity, drinking water, irrigation and livelihood development. All these activities are carried out under the umbrella of Gama Neguma with the involvement of all stakeholders from the Eastern region and through the machinery of Government agencies.

The main component of the Eastern revival includes linking and supportive infrastructural projects which are aimed at improving mobility and accessibility at regional level. These projects will also improve the capacity of the regions to link up with the mainstream of development. They have a catalytic role in boosting commercial activities in the regions of the Eastern province.

When more areas are liberated the Government is ready to extend the development programs. Mega projects such as the development of Colombo, Hambantota and Oluvil Ports have been commenced. It would boost our links with the international trade more effectively.

Steps have been taken to construct large power generation plants at Norochcholai, Upper Kotmale and Kerawalapitiya. Water supply projects are in progress in all main districts to enhance the availability of drinking water. Although the required funds are in place, unfortunately the LTTE do not permit the Government to launch the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the Jaffna Water Supply projects. The Government has decided to commence the work by next year.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have allocated US$ 1700 million for development projects for the next four years.

The Government has completed the construction of 100,000 houses for those people who got displaced due to the Tsunami and has also reconstructed the damaged fisheries harbours, roads, bridges, schools, hospitals etc. during the past three years.

A total of Rs. 500 million is proposed in the Budget 2009 to carry out resettlement in the North. Housing is a part of the integrated package for the returnees. Along with it the livelihood development for farmers, fishermen, businessmen and even small scale entrepreneurs is also provided - both financial and technical support as required. The main target is a sustainable livelihood development.

'Uthuru Wasanthaya'

Sri Lanka has now arrived at an important juncture. Having liberated the East from the Tigers' grip, troops are at the final stage of liberating Wanni and North.

While 'Neganahira Udanaya' is becoming a reality the Government is entertaining high hopes for an 'Uthuru Wasanthaya'.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, the Secretary to the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure W. K. K. Kumarasiri said, the Government has already taken a decision to launch 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' - the Northern reawakening project. Apart from the existing six zones - i.e. the country is divided into six parts for administrative purposes by the Ministry of Nation Building - a seventh zone has been formed which included Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts. President Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed a total of 8000 Million rupee allocation for the Ministry of Nation Building in the Budget 2009.

Almost all the mega development projects in terms of Mahinda Chinthanaya are being implemented.

They are in various stages of development at present.

With immense gratitude to the Sri Lankan security Forces let us keep in mind that the entire Mannar district is now under Government control. The initial ground clearing processes are going on under the Sri Lanka Army.

Under the Jathika Saviya program operated by the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure, the necessary heavy equipment to clear the land and level down the huge bunker lines made by excavating the fertile soil of the 'Rice Bowl' have already been handed over to the Army.

The MANRECAP program that commenced in 2004 with funding and technical assistance from JICA has already been completed. In 2004 March the MANRECAP program commenced after a memorandum of understanding signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and JICA on Japanese Technical Cooperation. By early 2008 the program completed its scheduled development activities with Japanese collaboration.

In addition, the Ceylon Electricity Board is providing electricity to many areas in Mannar under a grant by the Asian Development Bank. The Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programs are taking place in the area.

Under the World Bank funding worth of 300 million rupees, the gem of the Rice Bowl - the Giants' Tank - will be reconstructed along with the main irrigation canals of the system.

The coastal line connecting the land and the Mannar island is being replaced by a state of the art bridge with financial and technical assistance from JICA.

In Jaffna 120 villages covering an area of 14,943,048.3 square meters of land have been cleared of mines so far, the Situation report issued by the Jaffna GA said.

The Ministry of Nation Building awaits the security clearance from the Sri Lanka Army to commence building infrastructure facilities, establishing local administration and further development in its recently liberated areas of Mannar.

The A 32 road from Mannar to Pooneryn is being reconstructed jointly by the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy. It will no doubt, provide a true lifeline to Government operations.

Government's commitment to totally eradicate terrorism remains unchanged. LTTE cadres who surrender to the Government are given the full support to rehabilitate themselves and return to their normal lives. To make this process more effective and wider the President proposes Rs. 3,000 million to rehabilitate LTTE cadres which we hope will be accepted by the Parliament in view of the momentum it gathered.

Amidst all this chaos the Government has not given up hope.

The key policy objective of the Government is to develop all villages in the country so that they emerge as micro centres of growth on modern lines. The village should be able to retain its decent and comfortable nature for people to live, work and engage in their cultural and communal activities. Remember, for a long time we were a nation of village communities.

The larger majority of the population lives in the rural areas.

If is to be successful, any development initiative should give due recognition to this reality.

Though many, especially some of those alien elements who do not have an iota of an idea about the nature of our country continue to criticize and thunder allegations against the commitment of the officials.

The Government is not treating every Tamil civilian as a Tiger though the LTTE treats every Sri Lankan as its enemy. A cursed thought - seeing their own brethren as the enemy!

While several INGOs are truly supporting the development of the country some others, knowingly or unknowingly have supported the terrorist organization in many ways.

A high Government official in constant coordination with INGOs, who did not want to disclose himself, told the writer that one of the INGOs confirmed that it had lost a number of good vehicles in the uncleared areas - they do not know there present whereabouts.

Several INGOs engaged in development activities said they only conduct small scale development activities like repairing and reconstructing rural roads, rebuilding culverts, building community halls etc.

An international NGO with its massive financial and technical background has a greater scope for providing a greater boost to the communities. In these uncleared areas how can one expect the NGO workers to carry on their work independently, when the terrorists are getting more and more frustrated with the defeats and setbacks they face everyday.

With gratitude

We are indebted to our soldiers and their families for their sacrifices and we should constantly admire them, President Rajapaksa highlighted in his 2009 budget speech. Therefore, the President proposed a salary increase for soldiers engaged in action from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000. A total allocation of Rs. 4,500 million is required to meet this commitment.

A total of 50,000 houses for our war heroes will be built under the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' of which 1,500 are already constructed during phase I, with water, electricity, telephones, banks, market places, schools and hospital facilities.

When the people are strengthened, especially in terms of economy and socially, it affects the country's stability very encouragingly.