Batticaloa district, a hub of prosperity

by Naalir Jamaldeen

There is a conducive environment in the Batticaloa district for industrial and tourism sector development with the expansion of road network and other facilities blossoming in the district.The Batticaloa district which remained a ghost city is turning gradually into a hub of prosperity. Major, medium and minor scaledevelopment projects have been implemented in the district under the "Nagenahira Navodaya" program.A large sketch of cultivable lands have come under plough in the Maha and Yala Seasons. The district has achieved self-sufficiency in paddy, milk and fish production.

Manmunai bridge construction site

A renovated paddy store

Fishing canoes in Batticaloa lagoon

The district is gifted with all natural resources to expedite the development. Valachchenai fishery harbour is a boon to improve the fishery industry in the district.

Sustainable development goals can be achieved only when development resources are utilised on suitable projects and then only the maximum benefits can be obtained from the project.

Successful road development will help improve the industrial sector and the service sector as well. Development of other sectors also depend on the road development. There are ample opportunities for local and foreign investments in the Batticaloa district. Most of the infrastructure development projects in the district are over.The roads also play a pivotal role in the day-to-day-life of thepeople in the district. A large number of road- side vendors can be seen selling their home made food.Tourism is the important industry in the district because there are so many natural tourism attractions in the district.

A large number of people in the district benefit directly and indirectly from the tourism industry.Drinking water problem in the district have also been solved by aconsiderable level. A large number of people in the district benefit from the Unnichchai drinking water supply project. In addition, the Government has taken steps to improve the education standard of the district. Education is the only means to develop all other sectors to win the development challenges.

Fishery is the main occupation of a large number of people in the district next to agriculture. Reservoirs and canals which were in a dilapidated condition have been rehabilitated under the "Nagenahira Navodaya program. The Government has implemented various livelihood programs in the district with Divi Neguma, Maga Neguma and Gama Neguma programs.The Government has implemented infrastructure and livelihood development simultaneously and then only the maximum benefit of infrastructure development projects can be obtained.Batticaloa is also famous as the city of "singing fish". Fish is interconnected with the life of people.

The Batticaloa lagoon adds further glory to the city. During the season fishermen in the region are engaged in prawn harvest.The district has been shortlisted as one of the fast growing districts in the country. Criminal activities have also decreased in the district due to good governance and administration, Deputy Minister of Resettlement Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan said.

Development of agriculture sector depends on a well developed irrigation system. The Government implemented various irrigation projects in the district. Sixteen medium and large reservoirs were developed. Bridges are the main source which connect the cities and village. Eighteen bridges have been constructed including the Kalladi bridge, he said. Restoration of peace has lifted the barriers remained in developing the district. The Government has implemented various livelihood and infrastructure development projects in the manner to cover all parts of the district. Rupees 548,379 million have been spent on various projects within the concluded four years. The Government allocated Rs. 9,700 million for 2013 to implement infrastructure and livelihood development projects, Deputy Minister Muralitharan said.

He said that several other development projects have been implemented in the district under "Deyata Kirula" program with the assistance of the European Union.

He was addressing a media workshop organised by the Government Information Department in Batticaloa. Deputy Minister Muralitharan said that once the ongoing development projects are over the district will turn into a hub of prosperity and the model district. Economic Development Ministry provides all assistance to Batticaloa district under the "Mahinda Chinthanaya" national development program, Muralitharan said. The Government has implemented mega development projects that the district had never seen before. Commencement of a domestic airport in Batticaloa clearly portrays the mega development the district has achieved, Batticaloa District Secretary P.S.M. Charles, said. All facilities to promote the tourism industry including well-developed roads are available in the district. Kalladi bridge, Panichchankerny and Manmunai bridges are the important bridges in the district providing access for a large number of people in the district and from other districts, she said.

Tourism will turn into a main industry in the district soon, Batticaloa District Secretary said. She said the agriculture sector has returned to normal after the period of terrorism. A large sketch of cultivable lands have come under the plough in the Maha and Yala Seasons. Housing problems of underprivileged people in the district are also being addressed.

Construction work of Manmunai bridge is in progress. The work is expected to be completed by May next year. Construction work of 14 bridges have already been completed and the work on 102 are progressing, she said. Most of the A, B, C and D classes already have been completed. A large number of access roads and the roads which were in a dilapidated state were rehabilitated.

The transport problems of people have also been solved by a considerable level. All arrangements have been made to renovate all road network by 2016, Charles said. The statistics given by the Government Information Department shows that farmers in the Batticaloa district contribute to 7.6 percent out of the total paddy production of the country.

According to the statistics 4.5 metric tons of paddy is harvested from one acre paddy cultivation. Nearly 50,000 families in the district depend on agriculture. Accordingly, Kannampalayam, Sorikkal and some other Anicuts were also developed. Nine paddy stores in the district have been renovated. Paddy production was 59,227 in 2009 and increased to 102,366 metric tons in 2012.

There are nearly 30,000 fisher families in the district who contribute by 8.75 percent to the national fish production.

The Government has also taken steps to improve the living condition of fishermen. Forty multi day boats have been distributed while setting up 127 boat yards in various locations of the district. There are several natural tourism attractions in the Batticaloa district including Pasikkudah and Punnakkudah. Within the concluded couple of years the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists have increased by many folds. Sixteen hotels have been constructed to provide accommodation facilities to tourists. An information centre has also been opened. The Government has taken steps to construct a Hotel Management School in the Batticaloa District.

The construction work of domestic airport already have been commenced. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 800 million, the Government Information Department sources said. Several leisure parks have been constructed in the district. Children's parks, parks for senior citizen are also available in the district. Rs. 200 million has been allocated to develop the Batticaloa National Playground.