Wadakkin Wasantham:

Northern development drive coming to fruition

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Spring is the time where everything starts blooming in vibrant colours. It is the time when fresh leaves start budding. It is a beautiful season that captivates the senses. Spring is not just an environmental change above.

Spring is what every human being adores to be his prime! So does ‘Northern Spring’ (Wadakkin Wasantham or Uthuru Wasanthaya). ‘Wadakkin Wasantham’ is designed to bring back spring to the lives of Northerners of this island nation.

‘Wadakkin Wasantham’ or the ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ was the first well planned mega development drive the Government launched, on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the mass exodus of the Internally Displaced Civilians, following the liberation of the entire Northern Province by our valiant forces.

A-9 road

New and old Thalladi bridge in Mannar

Murunkandi Kovil

Road to Casuarina beach in Karainagar under repair

Iranamadu Tank

The richest fish harvest. A Fisherman washing sea cucumbers

Building material in store to rebuild homes

It comprised a three year plan and a short-term 180 days crash program at an enormous cost. As promised under the 180 day program, the majority of the projects have completed at present to rehabilitate the displaced people.

“This all embracing mega development plan which includes road construction, reconstructing government and private buildings and livelihood development is proceeding at a rapid pace,” said Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandasiri.

Accordingly, the infrastructure development and road development have became the Cardinal feature of this mega development plan. The entire development drive is supervised by the Task Force for Northern Development appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the inception of the Northern development drive.

Restrictions having been totally lifted, the Alpha 9 Road that links two historical cities, Kandy and Jaffna, has now become the ‘freeway’ of the country. Ironically it was this road which also linked two different cultures and religions.

With the closure of A9 on different occasions, especially from Muhamalai following its total closure during August 2006 this link between the two cultures was breaking apart.

“Road development continues in a major way,” Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri said. The new initiative is to develop major areas along the A9 Road mainly from Galkulama to Medawachchiya and from Vavuniya to Mankulam. The road from Nawatkuli to Mannar as well as A32 Road from Puttlam to Maradankerni, Mannar is under construction and certain sections have already been completed.

The A-35 Road from Paranthan to Mullaitivu and the road from Paranthan to Poonekery is also under reconstruction. In the Jaffna peninsula the road that runs through Chavakachcheri, Puloli, Kodikamam and Kachchai is also in the reconstruction plan. “These are the initially planned road development networks in the North and with the progress of time, the reconstruction of the rest of the roads will be definitely taken up,” he added.

The North also receives the same attention as the South. In fact it seems to be more! The mega development drive is no exception. In its efforts to rise from the debris, left over by the devastating terrorism, the Government has launched a master plan to rebuild the Northern Province and resettle its displaced families.

Covering up all the lost opportunities, the UDA has launched a massive plan to rebuild the North under the supervision of the Presidential Task Force for Northern development chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP. The plan envisages to set up the new regional capital in Mankulam. Jaffna would be developed as a national capital with Vavuniya, gateway to the North.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has extended its power supply to North’s Mankulam, Kolinochchi and Vavuniya areas. Electricity supplied by medium voltage hydro power is extended to an area of 33 Km from Mankulam to Kilinochchi town. According to officials, it will benefit over thirty thousand people in that area who were without electricity for decades due to terrorism.

Meanwhile, another rural electrification scheme is under way in Vavuniya covering 25 Km with a low tension line that benefits altogether 500 families. While these schemes have been launched under the ‘Wadakkin Wasantham’ program to re-awaken the North, the Government’s provision of electricity to the Eastern Province, under the ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ has also increased from 48% (in 2005) to 59% (in 2008).

Cabinet approval was granted for the reconstruction of five bridges in the Eastern Province and to sign the exchange of Notes with the Government of Japan on the funding of those projects.

A grant agreement with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) will be signed to obtain 29 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs. 36 million) for detailed designs of these bridges.

The Government has already completed the construction of several bridges in the Eastern Province. The Kinniya Bridge in Trincomalee was successfully completed at a cost of Rs. 789mn and opened to the public. This is currently the longest bridge in Sri Lanka built in the Eastern Province which was plagued by terrorism. Upparau, Manampitiya, Pudawikkattu, Irakkandi, Yan Oya, Arugambay and Komari Causeway bridges have also been successfully completed at present.

Faith and belief still plays a major role in the lives of Northerners and Easterners. With travel restrictions being lifted more and more devotees from the South are visiting the famous places of religious worship such as Madhu Church, Thirukethiswaram Kovil in Mannar, Nagadeepa Temple, Naguleshwaran and Nallur Kovils in Jaffna.

Madhu Church is now opened for all devotees. The decision for the withdrawal of restrictions was made by the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order due to the improved security situation in the area. It is now safe for all people to visit the Sacred Madhu Church since the demining has been successfully completed.

Earlier, the LTTE cadres occupied the church premises and its precincts, had weapons placed in the area, set up road blocks and prevented pilgrims from entering without their permission. As the Security Forces tried to dislodge them, the LTTE carried out mortar attacks that badly damaged the Shrine. In 2008, the priests at the Shrine were compelled to take the venerated statue deeper into LTTE held area.

The statue was brought back after the Security Forces drove the LTTE out of the entire Madhu Church area in 2008. On the instructions of President Rajapaksa the Sri Lankan Army carried out restoration work on the Madhu Shrine at a cost of Rs. 1.18 million.

After the restoration, the Government opened the Madhu Church for devotees.

The Catholic community got the opportunity to celebrate the “Annual Madhu Feast” of Our Lady of Madhu on August 15, last year under the State patronage.

The Government has also taken measures to develop Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, a famous Hindu shrine in Mannar. The government aims to complete the first phase of the programme to develop the shrine before the sacred Hindu Maha Sivarathri Day which falls on March 13.

Under the first phase of the project estimated to cost 270 million rupees, the major access roads to the Kovil will be constructed and the area surrounding the Kovil including Palavi Tank will also be developed. In addition a chariot path, a pilgrim waiting hall, toilet facilities and other amenities such as water supply will be provided.

In phase II, internal roads and buildings to house a Vedic school, culture hall, resting hall and a meditation centre will be constructed.

With people now returned to their homes bringing an end to their displacements, the Government is focusing heavily on empowering people economically and socially. Thus many livelihood development programs are in progress with local as well as foreign assistance.

The youth assistance program “Youth Business Sri Lanka” of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has begun to provide loans to Jaffna youth to start self-employment projects. The full commitment of the first phase of the project is estimated at Rs. 1 million. These loans of Rs. 250,000 each are provided to the youth between the age group of 18 - 35. The Government has also initiated a special loan scheme for Northern entrepreneurs under the ‘Wadakkin Wasantham’.

A total number of 1,875 loans to the value of Rs. 264 million is being disbursed under the scheme, by the People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon. In addition 5,927 beneficiaries have also registered in the People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank and Sanasa Development Bank to obtain credit facilities under the loan scheme.

Out of the total of 1,875, loan 47 per cent (890) have been disbursed for agricultural purposes while 28 percent (524) were for trade and service sector activities.

In addition, the Asian Development Bank has already completed their survey on a special livelihood development program dedicated to the Northern Province.

And last but not the least a distant dream has now come true! ‘Yaldevi’ train is getting back on track. For Sri Lankans it is not just a journey but a leap towards a new era.

In this regard the Railways Department has already collected a sum of Rs. 24,062,622 as assistance and Rs. 19,138 as sales proceeds from the ‘Hadawathata ticket ekak’ sales under the ‘Uthuru Mithuru’ program. The recipients of these tickets will get the opportunity to travel to and from Jaffna in a special compartment after the completion of the 159 kilometres long railway track.

According to the Transport Ministry, the restriction of the Northern railway line will be completed in three stages. This foreign and locally funded project is estimated to cost Rs. 417 million.

Pix: Sudam Gunasinghe