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Sri Lanka s war-ravaged East cries out for development
Monday, 12 May 2008 - 9:25 PM SL Time
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For some time to come, Sri Lankans will be preoccupied with the question whether the first-ever elections to the Eastern provincial council last Saturday were free and fair, and whether the cause of democracy and national unity was served by the exercise. But very soon, the people of the region, denied an elected provincial council for two decades, will demand that the rulers get down to brass tacks and address bread-and-butter issues. Ravaged by war since the mid-1980s, the Tamil-speaking Eastern province has seen little or no economic development. Its agriculture, fisheries, industry and infrastructure were destroyed by Tamil militants and armed agencies of the state.
But change is in the offing.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who heads the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) which won the eastern elections, has given top priority to economic development in the East, allocating SLRs. 6 billion (US$ 56 million). He has also placed himself and his brother Basil Rajapaksa at the head of the Eastern task force.
Roads are being built. A paper factory at Valaichenai will soon begin to hum. A 500 MW power plant in Sampur is expected to come up with Indian help. Still, an enormous lot remains to be done.
According to Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan of the Point Pedro Institute of Development, the Eastern Province, along with the other Tamil-speaking area, the Northern Province, is at the bottom of the table in terms of contribution to Sri Lanka s GDP.
In 2000, for example, the East s contribution was 4.5 per cent, and the North s, 2.1 per cent. But the North and East account for a third of the island s land mass, and two thirds of the coastline.
If the share of those employed in industry, as against those in agriculture, is a measure of development, the East has been going backwards. In contrast to the rest of Sri Lanka, the share of industry in employment in the East has declined from 15.4 per cent in 1985 to 8.3 per cent in 1995.
In 2002-2003, only 20 per cent of households in the East had access to safe drinking water, while the Sri Lankan average was 45 per cent. Only 40 per cent of the households in the East had electricity, while the national average was 56 per cent. In terms of access to sanitation, it was 28 per cent in Batticaloa as against the national average of 72 per cent.
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Source(s)
• newindpress.com
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sathyaji
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 12 May 2008 14:27:42 GMT Report for Abuse
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Neweast on the way
2008-05-12 6.30 pm The tussle between TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan and UPFA Muslim leader M.L.A.M. Hizbullah for the hotly contested post of the Eastern Provincial Council Chief Ministership could intensify into a violent conflict, a senior government Minister confirmed.
Speaking to Lanka Dissent , the Minister said Pillayan has become disturbed after Hizbullah made a request from the President through Basil Rajapaksa.
The UPFA had earlier decided that the winning candidate who gets the highest preferential vote and the majority support from among the government Provincial Council group would be the Chief Minister.
Therefore, the UPFA did not name an individual for the post.
According to the results in the official government website, TMVP leader, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan is in the lead with 41, 939 preferential votes.
Jawahir Mohamad and Hizbullah has come second and third with 36,419 and 35,949 preferential votes respectively.
According to the final result, the UPFA candidates of Batticaloa district are two Tamils and three Muslims.
Excluding Pillayan, the three Muslim candidates of the UPFA are the ones who obtained the most number of preferential votes.
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan 41,936
Jawaheer Mohomed Sali 36,419
M.H.A.M. Hizbullah 35,949
Mohamad Subair 35,612
M.Theraviyam 23,729
Edwin Silva Pradeep Master 22,666
http://lankadissent.com/allnews/2008_05_12_10_news.htm
Edited By - sathyaji - 12 May 2008 14:35:21 GMT |
AnuD
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 12 May 2008 14:30:12 GMT Report for Abuse
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VAkare means Vihare which means that area earlier had a Buddhist temple ?
what happened to that ?
Will any one investigate it ?
According to Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan of the Point Pedro Institute of Development, the Eastern Province, along with the other Tamil-speaking area, the Northern Province, is at the bottom of the table in terms of contribution to Sri Lanka s GDP.
Only Wanni PEELam is economically prosperous with the Tamil diaspora sent money.
Tamils sent money - billions of dollars - to destroy Sri Lanka. they talk about economic development.
what happened to those hugh sums of money.
They used to destroy Sri Lanka and to kill people.
They scream at the govt for development.
Barbarians.
Edited By - AnuD - 12 May 2008 14:35:11 GMT |
Dewey
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 12 May 2008 14:43:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Foreign living terror supporting goons do not like to see east being developed. They will do everything in their power to stop the development in the eastern province. |
AnuD
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12 May 2008 14:49:26 GMT Report for Abuse
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Hisbulla came third.
How come he becomes the Chief Minister.
I think, Pillayan wants it desperate and he had won it too. |
Magnum357
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 12 May 2008 14:57:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan 41,936
M.H.A.M. Hizbullah 35,949
So Hisbullah has nothing to base his claim for the CM post other than to say the polls were rigged and take his case to the supreme court along with substantiated proof of rigging and seeking a writ of quo warranto against Pillayan.
But very soon, the people of the region, denied an elected provincial council for two decades, will demand that the rulers get down to brass tacks and address bread-and-butter issues
If for some reason Pillayan is uable to democratically deliver the aspirations of those in the east that is when Pillayan's arms, ammo and the fact that he still has his 'STRIPES' will all become useful and the delivery is bound to take some other form!
Edited By - Magnum357 - 12 May 2008 15:00:24 GMT |
AnuD
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12 May 2008 15:00:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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Pillayen can make positive suggestions. I don't think Pillayen will handle money.
If he is given money, GOSL should forget about development and Very Soon Pillayen's wife will buy an expensive house in UK.
On Behalf of Pillayen, GOSL has to carry the development. |
Magnum357
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12 May 2008 15:02:52 GMT Report for Abuse
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On Behalf of Pillayen, GOSL has to carry the development
Cloud in the eastern sunny sky? Rain wouldn't be far off with thunder and lightning!
Edited By - Magnum357 - 12 May 2008 15:03:56 GMT |
Berty
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 12 May 2008 15:03:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dewey
Foreign living terror supporting goons do not like to see east being developed. They will do everything in their power to stop the development in the eastern province.
How ru doing..after a long time..
That is not true..We all would love to see the East developed..Let us come back and talk about it after a year cos knowing our president and his bros, the monies will never get to east..That is the only Worry..!!
Tell me Dewey..why South is not developed still after all that Tsunami monies.. |
Berty
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12 May 2008 15:04:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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AnuD
On Behalf of Pillayen, GOSL has to carry the development.
POT is calling the KETTLE Black..lolz |
srimal111
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 12 May 2008 15:05:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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Government should not betray Pilliyan ! If GOSL did that we would see LTTE no 2 !
People should not be forced to take arms by unfair treatment. |
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