Eastern resurgence

In our editorial yesterday we emphasised the need to commence an all out development war in the liberated Eastern Province in order to consolidate the military gains achieved.

It was stressed that only an ambitious development drive in the war ravaged areas could win over the much harried civilian population and alienate them from their professed liberators who only brought misery and suffering on their brethren. This is exactly the sentiment expressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview with the Daily News.

Indeed, the capture of the entire East is no doubt going to place the Government in the spotlight of the international community which has been clamouring for a just deal to this segment of our population.

Equally there are going to be many donors who will be willing to lavish their largesse towards the development of the East. The Government has in fact made such an appeal to the international community.

Yesterday we carried a page one news story where Kuwait has agreed to grant Rs.700 million for the South Eastern University whereby it is proposed to a rebuild the shattered educational infrastructure in the Province.

True, this could be termed a drop in bucket to the mind boggling budget that would have to be crafted to put the East back on its feet after three decades of mayhem and destruction. It is hoped that other countries too would follow suit and pour in the shekels to get things moving to meet the social and economic aspirations of the people of the East.

It is also hoped that this gesture will act as catalyst for more funds to pour in for the gigantic development projects that will be blueprinted by the Government.

Like all other fields of endeavour education too has taken a heavy beating in the East due to the large scale disruption caused by the conflict.

There is today a whole generation who are languishing in IDP camps deprived of education not to mention other basic needs.

Any development plans for the East should take into account this important factor so that the world may know that the Government’s claims of equal treatment are not confined to words.

This is also the time for those countries whose hearts were bleeding for the suffering civilians to open up their purse strings and assuage their conscience. The Government too should strive to showcase the East for its vast potential to draw in investments and funds for its ambitious plans for the Province.

We recall how foreign aid came in an avalanche following the tsunami disaster and it would be ideal if a similar momentum could be generated if the Government is to speedily raise the gigantic finances it will have to earmark for the East.

It would not be short of eager donors to help out in the reconstruction of the East. It is however of paramount importance that the projects are properly selected and steps taken to eliminate waste if the Eastern population is to savour the fruits of their liberation.

President Rajapaksa should lose no time in appointing a high powered Task Force of competent personnel to immediately identify the priority areas that needs to be addressed.

Ideally this team should be composed of both technocrats and those familiar with the nuances of the East. A resurgent East will be a major fillip for the entire island’s economy.