modified on: 8/8/2012 3:00:36 PM
The keynote Address delivered by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
It gives me great pleasure to address the Opening Ceremony of
the Defence Seminar 2012. This is the second successive year in which the
Defence Seminar is being organised by the Sri Lanka Army. On behalf of the
Government, I take great pleasure in warmly welcoming to Sri Lanka all of the
distinguished delegates who have come from many countries around the world to
attend this event.
The theme selected for this year's seminar is "Towards Lasting
Peace and Stability". Under this topic, Sri Lanka's post conflict efforts on
Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Reconciliation
will be discussed. This is both appropriate and timely. Last year's Defence
Seminar focused on how the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka was accomplished. As
Sri Lanka enjoys its third year of peace and stability after the defeat of
terrorism, the great progress that has been accomplished here is similarly
worthy of study.
Sri Lanka today is one of the most peaceful and stable countries
in the world. It is a country in the midst of a national revival. How this
transformation has been achieved is at the heart of this seminar. During the
course of these three days, all of the participants will have the opportunity to
learn about the strategies adopted by the Government of Sri Lanka in addressing
its post conflict development challenges. I particularly encourage the foreign
delegates to make full use of their time here to interact with and learn from
the people who were instrumental in our post-war efforts. I am confident you
will learn a great deal of value from their experiences.
The war in Sri Lanka ended on the 18th of May 2009 with the
defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, better known as the LTTE. The
LTTE was one of the most vicious terrorist organisations in the world, and was
once described by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as being
"among the most dangerous and deadly extremists in the world". Its defeat was
greeted with an immediate and unprecedented outpouring of relief and joy
throughout the country. However, at the same time, the Government was deeply
aware of the grave challenges and responsibilities it faced in the war's
aftermath.
The Government of Sri Lanka has achieved remarkable progress on
all these fronts during a remarkably short span of three years. During the
course of this address, I will briefly discuss each of these post war challenges
and outline the ways in which they were dealt with.
The most pressing issue that needed to be addressed was ensuring
the wellbeing of the civilians who had been displaced from their homes. As the
war progressed, the LTTE moved people out of their towns and villages and
retreated to its strongholds near the North Eastern coasts. By the time the war
ended with the LTTE's defeat, 295,873 internally displaced people were left in
the Government's care. They could not return home because their towns and
villages were no longer safe for human occupation. As it retreated, the LTTE had
laid large quantities of antitank mines, antipersonnel mines, and many different
types of Improvised Explosive Devices in the areas it left behind. Demining
those areas swiftly and resettling the internally displaced was a significant
challenge for the state.
In total, it was suspected that mines had been laid in more than
five thousand square kilometres of land. Demining such a vast area was a very
difficult challenge that the Government unhesitatingly undertook immediately
after the war ended. Many foreign organisations came forward to assist the
Government, including the Danish Demining Group, the Indian Sarvatra Group and
the Horizon Group, the UK based Mines Advisory Group and several others. These
groups took on the responsibility of demining various identified tracts of land
throughout the North and East. The Sri Lanka Army was given the responsibility
of demining the largest area of land, which comprised almost 1,500 square
kilometres and included most of the densely mined regions.
The entire demining programme was carefully planned and
executed. Priority areas were chosen to maximise efficiency and enable the
speedy return of the internally displaced. The first priority was to demine the
towns and villages. The second priority was to demine the agricultural areas and
paddy fields. The last priority was to clear the forested areas. I am pleased to
note that as of today; nearly all of the two main priority areas that were
identified for demining have been cleared. Work only continues in a few areas
where the concentration of mines is at its highest. Many of these areas are
places where heavy fighting took place during the last stages of the war. It is
expected that these areas too will be completely cleared in the very near
future.
The scale of the problem the Government faced in demining can be
clearly seen from the number of mines and other devices unearthed and
neutralised during the demining process. As at end June 2012, 469,275
antipersonnel mines, 1,399 anti-tank mines, and 388,963 unexploded ordnance
devices had been recovered. It is because of the number of mines and IEDs laid
by the LTTE was so very large that demining in some areas continues to this day.
Alongside the demining process, Reconstruction was expedited in
each area that was cleared of mines and rendered safe. As a result of LTTE
action and long neglect, many of the houses, business premises, Government
offices, schools, hospitals, other facilities and infrastructure were in need of
significant repair and improvement. Despite the Government's continuous
provision of utilities and services, LTTE dominance had prevented long term
development from taking place in these areas for nearly three decades. As such,
the existing facilities and infrastructure were quite poor before the
Humanitarian Operation was launched in 2006. After the dawn of peace in May
2009, bringing these towns and villages to a level on par with the rest of the
country was a key concern of the Government.
The renovation of houses and construction of new housing units
was one of the Government's first priorities in terms of reconstruction. The
Army has been involved in several programmes to renovate damaged houses and
construct new ones. Under a grant sponsored by the Government of India, 43,000
new houses will also be constructed in these regions. The pilot project for this
programme was launched in 2010, and 1,000 houses have already been built and
handed over to the beneficiaries. Through the on-going programmes, the housing
stock in the North will be greatly increased and improved over the next few
years.
Infrastructure development was another key concern. Almost
immediately after the war ended, His Excellency the President appointed a
Presidential Task Force for Reconstruction and Resettlement in the North to
expedite work in these areas. The Government also launched a programme entitled
"Northern Spring" to undertake large development projects in the North. A
similar programme called "Eastern Dawn", had already been launched in the East
even while the Humanitarian Operation was still underway. Infrastructure
development, electricity, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, irrigation,
livestock development, inland fisheries, health, solid waste disposal,
education, sports, cultural affairs and transportation were all areas addressed
under these two programmes.
A team of officials was appointed to each District to identify
and direct the necessary activities. Essential infrastructure, including access
roads, minor tanks, public buildings, hospitals, schools, were upgraded quickly
in order to facilitate speedy resettlement. With the completion of these
priority projects, attention turned to larger undertakings. The development of
the road network throughout the North was expedited. Several important bridges
were built. The restoration of railway infrastructure was also a priority, since
this had been destroyed by the LTTE and had ceased functioning in 1990.
Repairing this infrastructure was critical. The railway track from Omanthai to
Pallai is scheduled to be completed by September 2013, and the track from Pallai
to Kankasanthurai is expected to be completed by June 2014. The track from
Medawachchiya to Madhu is scheduled for completion in March 2013, and the
remainder from Madhu to Talaimannar is expected to be complete by September
2013. Township development, including improved administrative facilities for
enhanced delivery of state services, is also taking place in all districts.
Much of the irrigation infrastructure, including canals and
tanks, was restored early on to revive agriculture and farming, while major
programmes to upgrade drinking water supply and sanitation are also underway.
Through expedited electrification programmes, many areas that did not have power
before have begun to benefit from electricity. The restoration of most of the
1,000 schools that functioned in the North is another significant achievement,
as are the steps being taken to improve healthcare through construction of new
facilities and upgrading of old hospitals. In addition to the infrastructure and
facilities being built by the Government, I am pleased to note that a large
number of private sector organisations have set up operations in the North,
including financial institutions.
The role played by the military in the reconstruction activities
just described deserves to be highlighted. For many of the projects undertaken,
especially those begun soon after the end of the war, the military provided
engineering expertise, construction plant and equipment, as well as much of the
necessary manpower. While state owned institutions such as the State Engineering
Corporation and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau undertook several
responsibilities, and while many private sector and foreign organisations won
contracts for certain projects, the fact remains that the military was essential
in facilitating the reconstruction activities. At the same time, it also helped
facilitate several other important functions, including supporting the care of
the internally displaced.
While demining and reconstruction activities were going on, the
displaced civilians were housed at Welfare Villages set up by the Government.
There were five Welfare Villages in all: four in the Vavuniya District,
including Manik Farm, and one in Mannar. Each Welfare Village was divided into
blocks of shelters. The shelters were provided with electricity, and each block
had separate kitchens, toilets, bathing areas and child friendly spaces. Special
priority was given for public areas and for the conduct of recreational
activities. Provision of water exceeded World Health Organisation requirements,
and all sanitation facilitates were maintained to a good standard.
Food and nutrition was a particular area of concern. During the
initial stages, cooked food packets were distributed to the IDPs, but within a
couple of weeks, community kitchens were set up in each residential block. Basic
rations were issued free of charge. In addition to what was provided by the
Government, significant assistance was provided by the UN organisations, foreign
countries, NGOs, civil society organisations and the general public. Cooperative
outlets and markets were established, and many IDPs also started individual
businesses within the Villages. State sector and private sector banks
established outlets inside the villages, and post offices and communication
centres were also set up.
Extensive healthcare facilities and sufficient medical supplies
were provided in all the Welfare Villages. A Directorate of IDP Healthcare was
established under the Ministry of Health, and medical officers were appointed to
be in charge of each Welfare Village. Other health workers, including nurses,
pharmacists and public health officials worked under their guidance. Each
Welfare Village had a Primary Health Care Centre and a well equipped Referral
Hospital. As a result of all the care taken at the Welfare Villages, the IDPs
soon recovered from the ill health they had suffered while with the LTTE.
Between May and June 2009, the crude mortality rate fell from 0.7 per 10,000 per
day to 0.5 per 10,000 per day, which is the threshold rate for South East Asia.
By July 2009, it had settled at 0.15 per 10,000 per day, which is the threshold
rate for Sri Lanka.
Special facilities for psychiatric care, including support for
individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, were provided within the
Welfare Villages. Psychosocial support, including counselling programmes, was
provided. Many efforts were taken to promote religious, spiritual and cultural
activities, and places of worship such as Kovils, Churches and Mosques were
established through community consultation, with special facilities being
provided for all clergy. Community centres and common areas were built for
adults, and young adults were provided with career counselling.
Vocational training centres were also established in each
Welfare Village for capacity building and empowerment. IDPs were assisted in
setting up home businesses. Special public administration services were
provided, including facilities to reconstruct legal documents and issue
temporary Identity Cards. 'Happiness Centres' were established for children, and
various activities including art, music, drama, yoga and sports were conducted.
Schools were established from Grade 1 to 11 in all the Welfare Villages, with
special Advanced Level classes being conducted at Kadirgamar Village.
The internally displaced remained in the welfare camps only for
as long as it took to demine their places of origin and reconstruct necessary
infrastructure to facilitate their resettlement. Under the speedy resettlement
programme launched by the Government soon after the war, a significant number of
the IDPs were resettled in their homes. By the end of July 2012, just three
years after the end of the war, the Government has successfully resettled
237,672 IDPs. A further 28,398 have chosen to live with host families in various
parts of the country.
It should be noted that 7,185 had left the IDP camps on various
grounds and did not return, while a further 1,380 sought admission to hospitals
and did not return after treatment. 802 IDPs died due to natural causes during
the time they were awaiting to be resettled. Only 5,424 individuals from 1,597
families remain in the last functioning Welfare Village. These IDPs are from
areas that have the highest concentration of mines, which have taken a little
longer than expected to render safe. The Government intends to complete the
resettlement of all IDPs by the middle of this month. Resettling nearly 300,000
internally displaced people in just three years is a very significant
accomplishment. It would not have been possible without the professionalism and
commitment of the military, which facilitated almost all the major undertakings
involved.
Apart from the IDPs, the Government faced another major
challenge with regard to Rehabilitating the large numbers of LTTE cadres who
surrendered or were detained during the course of the Humanitarian Operation. A
total of 11,989 LTTE combatants surrendered to the military during the
Humanitarian Operation. These cadres were categorised according to their known
level of involvement in LTTE activities, and treated separately. The Bureau of
the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation was established to oversee the their
rehabilitation and reintegration.
A 'six plus one' rehabilitation process model was adopted for
the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme. This process rested on six
pillars; namely Spiritual, Religious and Cultural Activities, Vocational &
Livelihood activities, Psychological & Creative Therapies, Sports &
Extracurricular Activities, Sociocultural Activities and Education. Community
awareness programmes were also conducted, and efforts taken to sensitise the
public to the needs of the beneficiaries so that they would be more receptive to
their reintegration.
Particular attention was given to the 594 child soldiers who
surrendered. A special rehabilitation programme was organised for them, with
assistance from UNICEF. These programmes were carried out at the Child
Protection Centre in Poonthottam and the Hindu College Ratmalana. Much effort
was taken to provide proper counselling for these child beneficiaries. Special
spiritual development activities and positive values cultivation programmes were
conducted for them. Formal education was provided, with classes being conducted
for more than 200 students between Grade 8 and Grade 11, and 65 students in the
Advanced Level sections. Several 6 month long vocational training programmes
were also conducted in subjects including information technology, aesthetics,
carpentry, masonry, beauty culture etcetera. The child beneficiaries were
reunited with their families within one year, although 74 came back to Hindu
College Ratmalana to continue the education programmes they had been following.
The adult beneficiaries of rehabilitation were initially housed
in 22 Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centres maintained by the
Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. All of the centres were
built to a good standard. It is important to stress the fact that several
International agencies and Non Governmental Organisations such as the IOM and
UNICEF were given free and unfettered access to the rehabilitation centres. So
too were diplomats, media personnel, lawyers, and the family members of the
beneficiaries. Special leave was also granted to many of the beneficiaries to
visit their families, and attend religious and cultural activities at home from
time to time.
All beneficiaries underwent extensive programmes that were
designed to equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society.
Spiritual, religious and cultural rehabilitation programmes were also conducted,
with an intention to reacquaint the beneficiaries with cultural and family
norms. Psychological and creative therapy rehabilitation was provided, including
group counselling and therapy sessions, aesthetics and drama therapy programmes.
Beneficiaries were also encouraged to take part in various sports activities.
Special training and periodic refresher training was provided to
centre administrators on how to provide psychological first aid and counselling.
The counselling programme was designed in partnership with the Ministry of
Healthcare and Nutrition, Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, and
many Non Governmental Organisations engaged in the field. This was intended to
correct the mind-set of the ex-combatants and affect attitudinal change. Much
effort was taken to enable them to develop their personalities as individuals.
A lot of attention was paid to the reunification of families,
with married ex-combatants being given the opportunity to re-join their spouses,
children and parents at special rehabilitation centres called 'Peace Villages'.
This enabled many beneficiaries to continue their rehabilitation without any
disruption to their family life. A mass marriage ceremony was held in June 2010,
where 53 ex-combatant couples were formally given in marriage with the consent
of their parents and families. The marriages were conducted per religious
customs and traditions, and many parents and well-wishers attended the ceremony.
A special Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centre was established at
Kaithady in Jaffna to cater to the reunification of married beneficiaries as
well.
A special programme for 'catch up education' was provided in
collaboration with the Education Department for young adults who opted for the
programme. Under this, 361 students sat for the GCE Advanced Level examination
in 2010. 222 of these students passed this exam. In 2011, 304 students sat for
the Advanced Level examination, of whom 43 became eligible for university
admission. 166 students sat for the GCE Ordinary Level examination in 2010, of
whom 91 passed, and 77 students sat for the same exam in 2011.
46 different vocational training courses were also provided to
the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme. The courses involved many
sectors, including agriculture, industry, services and entrepreneurship.
Substantial opportunities were provided for training information technology,
with assistance from private sector implementation partners, and a computer lab
was set up with the capacity to train approximately 100 persons at a given time.
A number of programmes were created to support beneficiaries who wished to set
up their own businesses, with courses being conducted on self-employment,
entrepreneurship and micro enterprise development. A special loan scheme for
self-employment was also launched. It is important to note that steps have also
been taken to recruit a large number of these rehabilitated ex-LTTE combatants
to the Civil Defence Force. They will be used for development activities in
their areas of residence.
The Reintegration of the rehabilitees to society took place only
after trained counsellors assessed their preparedness to adapt to society and
resume normal lives. Reintegration programmes were conducted at various stages,
including a large ceremony that was held at Temple Trees in September 2011 in
the presence of His Excellency the President. In all, 10,965 rehabilitees have
been reintegrated to society as of now. 121 were released in 2009; 5,227 were
reintegrated in 2010 and 5,027 were reintegrated last year. So far this year,
590 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme have been reintegrated to
society.
Only 636 beneficiaries still remain in rehabilitation, at four
centres located at Maramadu, Welikanda, Kandakadu and Poonthottam. These
rehabilitees are not yet ready to be reintegrated to society, and require more
time to recover from the LTTE's indoctrination and regain full capability to
lead normal lives. It should be noted that a further 383 ex-combatants who were
in the rehabilitation programme have been identified and detained for further
investigations and legal action. It should also be mentioned that many of the
LTTE cadres who were detained during the course of the war have also been sent
for rehabilitation, with only the cadres most involved in LTTE activities being
selected for prosecution.
The primary focus of the rehabilitation and reintegration
programme was to equip the former LTTE cadres with alternative means to a
meaningful existence. It was felt that the best way to deradicalise these
individuals was by granting them the chance to become productive members of
society who had no reason to feel marginalised or insignificant. A preliminary
report on research conducted about the rehabilitation programme by Dr.
Kruglanski and Dr. Gelfland of the University of Maryland, College Park, in the
USA, has indicated that even hard-core ex-LTTE cadres have undergone a
significant reduction in their support for violence. The more the beneficiaries
built up a rapport with the staff members and guards at the rehabilitation
centres, the less likely they were to support the violence they believed in
while they were with the LTTE.
These findings are not only very encouraging from the point of
view of restoring normalcy in Sri Lanka, but they also vindicate the approach
adopted by the Government towards rehabilitation and reintegration. This
approach has been extremely generous. Most of these cadres who were
beneficiaries of rehabilitation and reintegration were involved in attacks
against Armed Forces personnel on the field of battle. Some may have also
participated in atrocities against civilians. As a result, the normal response
by the state would have been to keep them in detention and prosecute them.
Indeed, this has been the practice in most post-conflict situations.
However, His Excellency the President had a very different view.
Instead of prosecuting the majority of the cadres, he insisted that they be
rehabilitated and reintegrated to society as fast as possible. He understood
that these former cadres had been misled by the LTTE, and that they needed an
opportunity to be guided onto the correct path. As a result of this vision, the
vast majority of cadres were rehabilitated and released to society in just two
years. That is a truly remarkable achievement. Nowhere else in the world have
enemy combatants been treated with such generosity and rehabilitated at such
speed. The sincere commitment of His Excellency the President and the Government
of Sri Lanka to reconciliation can be gauged through this fact.
Considering the indisputable progress that has been achieved on
demining, Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reintegration,
Reconciliation has become the only issue on which those who wish to criticise
Sri Lanka can dwell. Yet this too is an unfounded criticism. Over the past three
years, a great deal of work has been done to improve the opportunities and
access to state services of all Sri Lankans, irrespective of their ethnicity,
religion, caste, or place of origin. The focus has been to empower all sections
of our society, and most particularly those who were under the LTTE for so many
years, so that they can fully benefit from the dividends of peace.
Restoring normalcy to the North and East as quickly as possible
after the dawn of peace was an essential first step in this regard. Disarming
the Armed Groups that had stood against the LTTE in these areas during the war
was very important. Members of groups such as the EPDP, EPRLF, PLOTE and TMVP
had carried arms for self-protection against LTTE attacks. After the LTTE's
defeat, and the full re-establishment of Government control in those areas,
immediate steps were taken to disarm these groups. Their members were encouraged
to pursue democratic activities. Many of them are now involved in mainstream
politics, and some are involved in other peaceful social activities.
Another essential step was the removal of the various
restrictions that used to be in place as a result of the conflict. There were
restrictions on travel to the North, including restrictions on foreigners, media
personnel and both foreign and local Non Governmental Organisations. Since the
dawn of peace these restrictions were progressively curtailed. As of today,
there are absolutely no restrictions on travel. Instead, there is complete
freedom of movement for all people in the North. The complete removal of
restrictions that had been imposed on various items was also important. During
the war, the transport of certain items was restricted for fear that they would
be used by the LTTE in offensive operations. As of today, these restrictions no
longer exist.
The restoration of the freedom of movement has been a tremendous
boost not only to the North, but to all the people of Sri Lanka. Large numbers
of local tourists travel from the North to the South and from the South to the
North on a daily basis. Large numbers of visitors from abroad have also come to
Sri Lanka over the past three years. Since July 2011, more than 51,400 foreign
passport holders from over 100 countries have visited Sri Lanka and travelled to
the North, including nearly 31,500 this year alone. A considerable number of
them were expatriates visiting their ancestral homes and properties and their
relatives in Sri Lanka. This is a testament to the freedom that exists
throughout this country. It is in stark contrast to the situation that prevailed
while the LTTE continued to pose a threat.
Many restrictions also used to be in place at sea due to the
grave threat posed by the LTTE's Sea Tiger wing. This section of the LTTE
launched attacks on our Naval assets after infiltrating sensitive areas in the
guise of civilian fishing boats. As a result, restrictions were introduced on
fishing not only in the seas off the North and East but throughout the country's
entire coastline. These included limitations on the times and the locations in
which fishermen could put to sea as well as restrictions on the size of their
fishing craft and the power of their outboard motors. All these restrictions
were removed in phases after the end of the Humanitarian Operation. Restrictions
on the times at which fishing could take place were gradually phased out between
June 2009 and February 2010. The remaining restrictions, including those on the
power of outboard motors, were removed by October 2011. Restrictions on fishing
near critical harbours have also been greatly reduced.
In terms of restricted areas on ground, the High Security Zones
in the North have been removed over the last two years. In five stages between
October 2010 and November 2011, much of the area covered under the High Security
Zone near the Palaly Cantonment was released, with lands in seventeen Grama
Niladhari divisions being fully handed back to civilians. The Palaly cantonment
is now the only area in which some security restrictions remain, but even within
the Cantonment, civilians have free access to the airport and the Kankasanthurai
harbour.
While it is true that there are still some civilian properties
within the Cantonment, it must be stressed that civilians have not occupied
these properties for the last twenty to twenty-five years. The Government has
taken measures to pay compensation to the owners of these properties and to
provide alternate lands to them. It should also be noted that lands that had
been forcefully taken from the people and occupied by the LTTE for many years
have also been released to their legal owners.
In addition to the reduction in the extent of the High Security
Zone, the reduction in the numbers of security barricades, roadblocks and
checkpoints in the North and East is also significant. There were large numbers
of such security measures in place during the course of the conflict and
immediately after, but these were gradually withdrawn after the dawn of peace.
In 2009, there were approximately 2,000 checkpoints, sentry points and
roadblocks in these two Provinces. Today, there are hardly any.
The number of troops deployed and the number of camps remaining
in the North and East has also been reduced to a bare minimum. 28 battalions
that were in the North have been relocated to the South and the East. The
overall number of troops in the North has also reduced by more than 21,000 since
2009. Troops will remain in strategic locations for security purposes, but their
presence will be non-intrusive. The day-to-day maintenance of law and order has
already been handed over to the Police.
Concurrently, the capabilities of the Police Department to carry
out these duties have been significantly improved. Eleven new police stations
have been established in areas where they had not been allowed to exist while
the LTTE dominated territory in the North and East. 789 Tamil policemen have
been recruited between 2009 and 2011, and they have been trained and posted to
these police stations. In 2012 alone, a further 425 have been recruited.
Training in Tamil language has also been provided to additional numbers of
police personnel.
The restoration of democratic elections in the North and East
not long after the end of the war is another act of which the Government is very
proud. Provincial Council elections were held in the Eastern Province even
before the Humanitarian Operation had ended, and Local Authority elections were
held for the Jaffna Municipal Council and Vavuniya Urban Council as early as
August 2009. A Presidential Election and General Election were both held
throughout the country in 2010. Local authority elections held island-wide last
year saw free and fair elections being throughout the North and East. In the
areas formerly dominated by the LTTE, people exercised their franchise without
fear for the first time in three decades. The Tamil National Alliance emerged
first in most electorates, but the main Government party also came close in
several of them. The fact that political plurality has returned to these areas
is clear from the results of these elections. The swift restoration of democracy
and the right to vote in those areas previously under LTTE dominance is very
significant.
Further, it needs to be noted that many former militants are now
playing an active role in politics. The LTTE's one time Eastern Province
Commander, Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman, is a junior
Cabinet Minister. A former LTTE child soldier, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan,
also known as Pillayan, is the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province. A number
of former LTTE cadres have also become Chairmen of local government bodies.
Their participation in the political process demonstrates the robustness of Sri
Lanka's democracy.
With the restoration of normalcy through all the measures
discussed above, the most fundamental requirement of the people in the North and
East is the opportunity to build a better life for themselves. That is why, as
was described before, the Government focused so much attention on the
infrastructure and services needed to facilitate the return of economic life in
these areas. A great deal of work has been done to facilitate the resumption of
livelihoods amongst the people in the North. Financial assistance as well as
assistance in kind has been provided to farmers, fishermen and small business
owners. Several such programmes have already yielded excellent results.
In this context, I am particularly pleased to note that a great
deal of work has been done by the military to help the civilians. The Army has
renovated more than 6,000 houses and constructed nearly 7,000 new permanent or
semi-permanent houses for the civilians being resettled. It has constructed 19
schools, created 23 school playgrounds, and renovated more than 55 old school
buildings. Assistance has also been provided through the provision of fishing
gear, utilities for farming and provision of livestock and seeds for
agriculture. Medical clinics are held from time to time, and assistance is
provided for the conduct of religious, cultural and other festivals. During this
critical period, as the newly resettled people are finding their feet, the role
played by the military in assisting the civilians has helped our Armed Services
win their hearts and minds.
As the people of the North and East resume their day-to-day
lives in a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka, they do so with fully restored
democratic freedoms, greatly improved standards of living and with unrestricted
opportunities to make a better future for themselves. I have every confidence
that as a result of the many beneficial developments that have taken place since
the end of the war, there will be no space for the re-emergence of our previous
problems.
Sri Lanka's journey during the three years since the dawn of
peace has seen the country transform itself from a nation at war to a country
that is amongst the most peaceful, stable and secure in the world. The
unwavering commitment and resolve of the Government to swiftly implement
measures for Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and
Reconciliation has laid the foundation for a prosperous future for all our
citizens, irrespective of their diversity and differences. I have every
confidence that as we step forward into this brighter future, we will do so
together as Sri Lankans. That is the greatest accolade that can be paid to the
success of Sri Lanka's post-conflict development; that will be our legacy to
future generations.
Thank you.
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