Mullaitivu:

Army assists in social integration

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Among the cities in the Northern part of the country, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, depict real change. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes the two cities and districts arose from scratch.

Today these two stand out among the rest of the cities in the North. The first to go into the abandoned cities were the Security Forces. On the directives of the Government they laid the foundation for the people to resettle and the local administration to come in.

During interviews given to the 'Sunday Observer', Mullaitivu Security Forces Commander Major General L.B.R. Mark and Kilinochchi Security Forces Commander Major General Udaya Perera spoke about the arduous efforts the forces made to convert the land which was liberated by their brethren into a safe haven.

Excerpts of the interview with Mullaitivu Security Forces Commander, Major General L B R Mark:

Q: How are the Security Forces involved in development activities in your area of responsibility in Mullaitivu?

A: The nature of our duties, after being posted in Mullaitivu, has changed a great deal. Today our major role is to get involved in Government initiated development. It is our task to support the 5R concept the Government is trying to implement. In Mullaitivu we are more concerned about the future generation. Upgrading the standard of education and vocational training for the youth. These youngsters need to be equipped with good education and proper skills for a vocation.

They are the future of this place. They are the people who would go out in to the world in search of better opportunities. They need to be confident with their skills. Future leaders will emerge from these youngsters. The other aspect is promoting connectivity among communities. The people need to understand each other's communities. Social integration is taking place through the security forces.

Other than this project, we as the military have put up a number of houses either funded by the Government or well-wishers. We have taken the responsibility to construct houses.

A student exchange program is another reconciliation step we are facilitating. This specially this targets students in Ordinary Level and Advanced Level classes. Many of these children have not seen the world beyond Vavuniya. The LTTE never allowed it. So we are facilitating visits to other parts of the country. The response is amazing. They meet students from other schools. Some told us that they never expected such a welcome from school children of other parts of the country. We are happy that the children are understanding the brotherly feeling they much inculcate for a peaceful future.

Q: How do you see the progress of Mullaitivu? What is your assessment?

A: When we first came here there was nothing. We had to start from scratch. Even the Government workers were reluctant to come. When we came here to establish the Security Forces' headquarters, there were no civilians. Lands were scattered with improvised explosive devices and minefields. Infrastructure facilities were damaged. Mullaitivu has strong potential to become an agriculture-based economic centre and today it is on the path to become one.

It is high time the country started using this resourceful land for the betterment of the country and its people. By now over 78,600 people have resettled in my Area of Responsibility. Muslim settlers who used to be here are returning now. Slowly their settlements are also coming up. The present concern is improving the livelihood of these newly resettled communities. Most of them are farmers or fishiermen.

Most of the funds have been directed to the North by the Government. So there are better chances for these people to develop.

It is five years since these areas were liberated from the iron clutches of the terrorists . And within three years the entire area was demined and made safe for the people to return. With in those three years immense development projects started. People are on their own now. The Health and education sectors are independently. Youngsters were not given a proper chance to showcase their talents and now they are having. They have all the chances to enjoy life and in particularly the sports sector is coming up in a very promising way. Recently at the National Boxing meet three sportsmen from the Mullaitivu district won bronze medals.

There are several livelihood programs are happening in the area. Vocational training centres have started getting established. National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) is also going to come to Mullaitivu.

In addition, we as the Army, identified a naturally salt forming area to be converted in to a saltern. All these activities we take up after refering to the Presidential Task Force on Nothern Development. And the Government authorities here found it difficult to restart the tile factory in Oddusudan. So we have extended our assistance to it. Using our expertise and skillful people, we will be resuming the operations of the tile factory. Through this we will train the local people and after sometime they will be runnning the factory. A large number of people can be employed in this factory.

Q: What is the situation of the de-mining taking place?

A: Initially the areas needed for resettlement were de-mined and now is completed. Next was clearing of the agricultural and lagoon areas. So both these are now completed. Few patches of jungles are getting de-mined at present.

Q: How is this entire development program run? What is the mechanism?

A: This is not done alone by the Sri Lanka Army. There are Progress Review Meetings held in every three months. At this meeting all the Government officials, relevant military officials, Grama Niladaris and community leaders all meet up. Through the community leaders people also get a better understanding of what is exactly happening in the area they live. When people raise problems the Relevant officials are compelled to answer. So the work gets done effectively and efficiently.

When ever the Government officials find it difficult to get certain work done we extend our help. For example the teachers could not do their jobs in school for more than two-three hours per day. They were coming from Jaffna or Vavuniya and because of the distance they had to leave early. So with the requests we built teacher quarters and other staff quarters to several schools. Now they stay during the working days and children are properly taught.

All these developments are compulsorily coordinated with the Presidential Task Force on Northern Development. When the necessary action are beyond us we direct them to the hierarchy.

Q: What are the main problems the people are facing? Is it lack of infrastructure? To which areas does this network of development pay attention?

A: Housing is one. People need a lot of assistance to completely build or to repair their houses. We as the Security Forces have given much attention to build pre-schools and primary schools. All the funds have come from well wishers which we as officers managed to get with our personal contacts. Happiness Centres in schools is another program.