In
order to overcome post war challenges such as reconstruction, resettlement,
rehabilitation, reintegration and reconciliation a national frame work was
drawn . Once again the security forces played a pivotal role in this national
endeavour.
One
of the most pressing issues that needed urgent attention of the state was the
welfare of nearly 300,000 internally displace people(IDP) during the war. The
rehabilitation of about 12,000 surrendered combatants was another burning
issue. The state machinery was put to work under a well planned out strategy.
Initially the IDPs were housed in five welfare Villages in all: four in the
Vavuniya District, including Manik Farm, and one in Mannar. These welfare
villages were provided with electricity, cooking areas, toilets, bathing areas
and child friendly spaces. Provision of water exceeded World Health
Organization requirements, and all sanitation facilitates were maintained to a
good standard.
Before
any meaningful development activities can take place in the former theatre of
conflict the area had to be demined. It was suspected that the five thousand
square kilometres of land had heavily mined. The entire
demining process was prioritized, carefully planned and executed. Priority
areas were chosen to maximize efficiency and speedy return of the IDPs. Towns
and villages were first demined followed by agricultural areas and forests. By
June 2012, 469,275 anti-personnel mines, 1,399 anti-tank mines, and 388,963
unexploded ordnance devices had been recovered by security forces and other
demining organizations. At present only a very small area remains to be
demined.
Most
of the infrastructure development work was carried out under the 'Northern
Spring' and 'Eastern Reawakening' programmes. Renovation of road and rail network,
power & water supply and irrigation work were expedited. A large number of
funds were allocated to renovate existing school buildings and construct new
ones. Poverty alleviation and people empowerment programmes were carried out to
improve the quality of life and harmonize civil society with sustainable
livelihoods in conflict affected areas. With the successful resettlement of
IDPs the welfare camps were eventually closed.
The
rehabilitated former combatants were gradually reintegrated into their
societies. A large number of these youth were recruited to the Civil Defence
Department. As a trust building initiative youth from the North and East were
recruited to the Police. Recently 100 Tamil females from Kilinochchi and
Mullaitivu joined the Army. A special rehabilitation programme was organized
for child soldiers too. Thousands of Northern graduates have also
received state sector employment.
With
the eventual lifting of security zones in the peninsula, freedom of movement
was ensured and as a result civil life is flourishing. Since July 2011,
thousands of foreign passport holders from over 100 countries have been
visiting Sri Lanka and travelled to the North and East than ever before. More
southerners are also visiting the North. Colombo based business houses and
conglomerates are rushing in to set up shop there.
The
country is at last breathing a sigh of relief and enjoying the dividends of
peace after going through three decades of death, destruction and mayhem. Sri
Lanka is slowly recovering from its horrific past. For the sanguine the future
is bright. But for some elements it is unfinished business. It is the duty of
all peace loving citizenry to rally around the country and protects its
integrity and hard won freedom.
