5/4/2012 11:11:47 AM
Resurgence in Mullaitivu
(By: Shirajiv Sirimane - Mullaitivu )
 People in the Mullaitivu district who were living
under a dictator for 30 years are now breathing a sigh of relief and living far
better than they had ever done and enjoying luxuries that they never knew
existed.
The people were forced to live according to the wims and fancies
of LTTE leader Prabhakaran and were forced to think that all other communities
were against the Tamil people and were asked to fight an unsuccessful battle
against them. Not only did they have to pay taxes, provide food and build
bunkers for the LTTE, they had to even sacrifice their children to the terror
group.
However, today people are given the chance to think freely and
the entrepreneurship of the people is clearly visible. The Sri Lanka Army that
led a humanitarian operation and rescued these people and gave them a new lease
of life keeps on paying a major role in reconciliation. M. G. Nuzam from
Mullaitivu says that today he gets better returns for his catch and is looking
out to buy a better boat.
S. Thangaweli who has started her own garment shop says that she
is now supplying her products to Mullaitivu town and is looking at expanding. "I
have a workforce of six and by the end of the year this would be increased to
10," she said.
Secretary to the Mullaitivu Traders Association, S. Shivalingam
said the shops were closed for almost two years, but now big players such as
Arpico, Sri Lanka Insurance, Hatton National, Seylan and State banks, Nestle
chilling plant, DSI, Abans, Singer, CIC and PC House have already set up
branches which prove that business opportunities are in abundance. Two private
companies are planning to set up two ice plants to serve the fisheries sector
while an Indian company is looking at investing in the roof tile manufacturing
factory. "What we now need is vocational training schools so that youth could be
accomplished to meet the future HR demands," he said.
He also said that the role played by the Army in the area is
praiseworthy and their presence has given them the confidence to invest and
carry on their day-to-day life happily.
 The change of mindset of the people is amazing and
today they are very friendly and grateful to the Forces who ended the 30-year
grip of terror on them and help the people to live a life according to their
wishes.
The AGA of the area, Thires Kumar says several new companies are
set to start up business in the next few months. The A-34 road from Mankulam to
Mullaitivu would be completed by the end of this year while the total area would
have a carpeted road network by 2013 which would bring in more investors to the
area helping the community to have an even bigger 'cash flow'.
He said that the government is adding key infrastructure to the
area which would help the residents. A program to renovate tanks in the
Karachchi-Uruthirapuram of Kilinochchi District is nearing completion.
This also included the program of providing employment
opportunities for the people of the area to engage in the renovation work on a
remunerative employment basis, and commence the harvesting season in
Kilinochchi. "However, he said that electricity is still a gray area and this
issue is now being addressed.
The area also needs new inputs to the agriculture sector such as
new machinery and hybrid seeds and a better market," he said.
Meanwhile, Major General J.L.Mark Security Forces Commander of
the area said that the Mullaitivu district with six GS divisions has around
33,000 families and before the end of the conflict was completely neglected.
However today the people are living happily. He said that the
Army, from a fighting force earlier, has now turned into helping the community
to rebuild their lives and get back to business; people appreciate this.
He said that the delay in resettling some of the IDPs was the
clearing of landmines as the Army wants to ensure a secure area for the
population.
 Brigadier Jagath Wijetilleke from the 68th Division
of the Army which was engaged in the final battle in Pudikuduirruppu said that
they would clear the balance landmines by the end of the year.
He said that the Army has already built over 200 houses and a
further 2,224 would be completed by the end of the year.
Each family is given a 40-80 perch land and nurseries and other
facilities are provided for these townships. "A Nenasala too would be set up in
a few months," he said.
He said some coconut land is being given over to the people in
the area to manage and the Army is also looking at the possibility of
introducing a ice plant.
"People are back to business and today over 150 fishing boats
are operational after restrictions on fishing have been lifted," he said.
Following is an overview of development in the Mullaitivu
district by the Ministry of Economic Development:
Extent: 2,617 Sqkm
Number of DS Divisions: 5
Population: 112,056
Rs. 1,783.85 million been invested on projects in the Mullaitivu
District.
Economic and Infrastructure Facilities Development
Roads and bridges
A sum of Rs. 102.83 million was allocated to rehabilitate
73.39km of roads and 25.39km has been completed.
Water supply
Rs. 90 million has been allocated for the construction of three
water supply schemes to improve the drinking
 water facilities to Oddusudan, Thunukkai and
Manthai and work of Rs. 59 Million. has been completed.
Irrigation
Twenty one small tanks have been rehabilitated at a cost of Rs.
2.07 million. Another 23 small tanks will be reconstructed at Rs. 38.20 million
and Rs. 60 million was allocated for the rehabilitation of Thenniyan Kulam tank
and 35 percent of work has been completed so far.
Agriculture
A sum of Rs. 3.52 million was allocated to develop pulses and
yam cultivation and 1,750 farmers will benefit from these projects. A sum of Rs.
11.72 million was allocated to reconstruct nine agri-buildings. In addition, Rs.
14.5 million was allocated to build eight fertiliser and two food and paddy
storing houses.
Livestock
A sum of Rs. 3.54 million was allocated to promote livestock and
two veterinary office buildings will be reconstructed with an investment of Rs.
4 million.
Cooperative development
Nine MPCS buildings will be reconstructed with Rs. 34.66 million
and Rs. 6.27 million has been spent on the work so far.
Religious institutions
A sum of Rs. 4 million was allocated to build six religious
buildings in Thunnukai and Manthai DS Divisions.
Skills development
Rs. 9 million has been invested for skills development. Already
118 persons have been trained at a cost of Rs. 7.82 million. Another 50 persons
are to be trained.
Demining
In Mullaitivu district 218 villages will be demined while mine
clearing in 96 villages has been completed. Demining is in progress in another
110 villages. Mines are to be cleared in 12 more villages.
Resettlement
A total of 19,259 families in all five DS Divisions have been
resettled. They were provided 51,232 cement bags, 116,600 roofing sheets and
14,560 parcels containing dry food items. Another 12,811 families are to be
resettled. A sum of Rs. 265.38 million has been reserved for 9,147 resettled
families in 85 GN Divisions.
Housing
Construction of 1,808 houses is under way. With Indian
assistance 12,500 houses will be reconstructed and 613 houses have been
completed.
Education
A sum of Rs. 13.44 million was allocated to construct buildings
for 14 schools and improve facilities.
Development of common amenities
A sum of Rs. 25.72 million was allocated to set up seven public
buildings and four post offices will be built at a cost of Rs. 16.04 million.
Three bus stands will be set up at a cost of Rs. 9.76 million.
Courtesy : The Sunday Observer
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Tamils around the world must come and see this now
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