Daily News Editorial

Northern development

24 August 2016

The Northern Province used to be one of the most prosperous regions in the country before the conflict began in the early 80s. For the next 30 years, it suffered immensely as economic and social development took a backseat. The North, and to some extent the East, became poorer than the poorest districts of the South. An entire generation grew up in the North without knowing anything other than the brutality of conflict.

Post-2009, the North regained the opportunity of achieving economic development. However, the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa began a development drive in the North sans commensurate measures to resolve certain outstanding social problems in the region such as resettlement and livelihood and ownership restoration. While physical development was deemed essential for the war-battered province, it was even more important to win the hearts and minds of the people of the region. The previous Government failed miserably in this endeavour.

On the other hand, the present Government led by President Maithripala Sirisena has embarked on an ambitious drive to address the concerns of the Northern masses. It has since then handed over a large number of lands occupied by the Security Forces without affecting the security equation in any way, whilst working on addressing the other grievances. As a result, now there is a situation where development and investment needs can again be considered in a proper context.

Democracy was restored in the North when the Provincial Council Elections were held and most political commentators were rather pleased that former Justice C.V. Vigneswaran was appointed as the Chief Minister. However, before long it became apparent that his views were diametrically opposite to what moderates in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) were advocating. Nevertheless, the present Government addressed some of the NPC’s concerns. For example, a civilian Governor was appointed to the North.

What is now required is a joint effort by the NPC and the Central Government to address the development and social needs of the North despite any real or perceived differences between the two. These can be resolved politically. They should be singing from the same hymn sheet if the North is to develop. In this light, the apparent boycott of the just concluded Northern Investment Forum by Chief Minister Vigneswaran makes no sense. Several TNA MPs were present on this occasion to support the cause of Northern investment.

The event, organised by Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray, attracted a large number of Tamil Diaspora members, other foreign investors and local investors. Resettlement and Prison Reforms Minister S. Swaminathan has said the investment forum was a significant event in the Northern Province and would help bring back investors to the region. The forum showcased the opportunities available in the province which includes the districts of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mannar. Tourism alone, which is emerging only now in the province, has the potential to make a big difference to the region. The According to the Board of Investment, the Northern Province has attracted over Rs. 3,315 million worth of Foreign Direct Investments for 2016 alone.

Vigneswaran’s conduct contrasts sharply with that of the mainstream TNA, which recently promoted investments in the North during a visit to Tamil Nadu. It is no secret that Vigneswaran and the TNA do not see eye to eye on many issues, but developing the North should not be one of them. This could also send mixed signals to the International Community and even more crucially, to the Tamil Diaspora. Most members of the Tamil Diaspora are now yearning to either come back home or invest in Sri Lanka from their adopted countries. They should not be discouraged by this kind of petty politics.

Granted, there are many things the Government is yet to do as far as problems faced by Northerners are concerned, but the fact is that this Government has shown real commitment to resolving all those issues. It is not an overnight process. All stakeholders must be fully committed to the cause of developing the North.

The question remains about a political framework that can bring lasting peace and reconciliation to the North and to the country in general. The Government is handling this issue on multiple fronts including probing where we went wrong in the past. The new Constitution which will be drafted after the widest process of political consultation in local history is believed to be the ultimate solution to the problems regarding power sharing. The Members of Parliament of the TNA are closely involved in this process.

It is time for Vigneswaran and some of his associates to take stock of the ground realities and give up certain ideas which are clearly not practical in the present circumstances. There is no need for a collision course at this stage when the Government is doing its best to restore the Northern Province to its former glory. This is a time for unity and reconciliation among all political forces in order to take the country forward.