Mega development projects under way in Mullaitivu

By Dhaneshi Yatawara following a tour in Mullaitivu

Since May 19, 2009 the Mullaitivu district has changed drastically. Wider roads, better schools, new hospitals have entirely changed the view of townships that were once ghostly. They are no more hidden towns anymore.

Subaswaram Kanagarathnam. Pic: Susantha Wijegunasekara

With a fresh election close by, the Mullativu district is slowly and steadily finding space for the democracy to establish. Townships are gradually taking up the multi coloured political nature that has already crept in to the North Western and Central provinces. In these newly resettled areas more and more community leaders are coming up setting the groundwork for aspiring political leaders to come up from the locality. Appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa each district of the country has a coordinator to work on the development activities. The President's Coordinator for the Mullaitivu district, Subaswaram Kanagarathnam, plays a key figure in the area given the background of a heavily demanding development. In Pudukuduyirippu, speaking to the 'Sunday Observer', Kanagarathnam said that according to his observation majority of the community is praising the Government - specially the youth.

Following are the excerpts of the interview.

Question: How is the political situation now?

Answer: I feel majority of this community is in favour of the Government. The Government has initiated a great number of development programs in addition to the mega infrastructure development programs. When life is getting easier, comparatively, people started praising the initiatives the Government has taken. There were many among the community who were willing to come in to the Provincial Council elections. This is the chance for the people to have a turning point following peace reinstated and people have totally resettled back in their villages.

Q: Have you already started the campaign?

A: Yes it is going on. We are visiting even the most rural villages in the district. Mullaitivu electorate has five seats and eight people will contest under the United People's Freedom Alliance banner.

Q: How was the response from the politically aspiring people in contesting in the Provincial Council elections?

A: Many supporters were interested. All represented the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Eelam People's Democratic Party and All Ceylon Muslim Congress.

Q: What is the people's response to the opposition political parties?

A: Apart from the youth of the area, majority of the older generation is still with the opposition Tamil parties. It is very difficult to change them. It is the young generation who prefers the Government. I travelled to Kokilai, Kokkuthuduwai areas and held meetings. What the people say is that if their problems are addressed properly and make infrastructure available for them, they can develop their livelihood activities.

Q: We see vast development has taken place in the Mullaitivu district considering the peaceful short time period. As political leaders what would you promise these people about the future of this Mullaitivu?

A: Majority of the people belong to poor families. It is important to uplift their living standards. People mainly have issues with clear ownership of lands. We have promised them that we are going to solve those issues.

Q: What are the main problems people face?

A: Majority of the people have issues with lands - with permits. These need to be addressed very soon. In certain lands owners do not own deeds.

Q: What are the conditions of the livelihood activities of the people?

A: People have started their livelihood activities. In this district paddy cultivation, vegetable growing, fisheries and backyard poultry are the main livelihood activities. The fishing communities face a problem with fishermen coming from other parts of the country. After the war the number of fishermen coming from fishing villages of other parts of the country have increased. This has lead to problems among the two communities. If this can be sorted out that will be a great help to the local people. Some of the local people are deprived of collecting a proper fish harvest leading to a low income. This is not only to the Tamil communities but is happening to the Sinhala fishing communities living in the Nayaru area.

Q: You are also the President of the Mullaitivu Bus Owner's Association. What are the problems with the public transportation?

A: There are 120 bus owners with our Association. The long distance buses do get the chance of earning a profit. So the short distance transportation, that is within the district, which is less profitable, gets neglected. It is important if, at least, the Sri Lanka Transport Board give some buses to travel to rural areas of the Mullaitivu district.

Q: You are a person from Mullaitivu itself, and always get the chance to interact with people of every social strata in the district. How do you see the response of the people?

A: The response of the people comes with the history we have shared with the common man. I travelled with people during the difficult times. When I came out of the No Fire Zone I came with those people. But these TNA parliamentarians, they were not with the people. They never got trapped with the LTTE as a human shield. They did not suffer with the people. I know what that life was since I was also an ordinary man who got trapped with LTTE until the Puthumathalan No Fire Zone. I will never forget those people with whom I travelled to safety, and they have not forgotten me either.