Reconstruction
REPORTS say the Sri Lankan government will implement an emergency reconstruction plan in Jaffna through the Northern Province Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (NPRRA) with the cooperation of a coordinating committee headed by EPDP leader Douglas Devananda. Assistance will be received from foreign governments and international agencies, including UNHCR. The plan includes improvement of water and electricity supply, transport, health facilities and schools. Germany is expected to provide Rs 180 million ($3.6 million).
Rs 65 million ($1.3 million) has been allocated for the Jaffna hospital where 25 of the 30 wards have already been refurbished. As the shortage of doctors and nurses is affecting the functioning of the hospital, reports say the government intends to recruit 100 doctors from India on two-year contracts.
Agriculture in Jaffna is resuming according to NPRRA. The ship Maho left Kankesanthurai for Colombo on 7 February carrying Rs 65 million worth produce including Jaffna red onions and tobacco. Despite the destruction of 2.5 million palmyrah trees in the north-east in the 13-year war, Rs 6.4 million worth palmyrah products were also despatched. As thousands of farm animals were killed in military operations, Jaffna Farmers Association has written to President Chandrika requesting help.
Observers say reconstruction may prove extremely difficult as the Tigers infiltrate the peninsula with ease despite a massive security blanket. The LTTE attacked the Vetrilaikerni Army camp on the eastern coast of Jaffna on 2 February killing ten soldiers and injuring another four. Three Tigers were killed south of Palaly airbase on 13 February. Six days later five soldiers died in a landmine attack at Vaddukkottai.
As the government embarks on reconstruction of the Army-controlled peninsula, south across the lagoon in LTTE-controlled Vanni 450,000 Jaffna refugees suffer without adequate shelter, food and medicines. Mr Devananda told Health minister AHM Fowsie in late February that ten people were dying every day in the Akkarayan and Mallavi hospitals without essential drugs. Many bodies lie at the hospital without anyone to claim them because relatives have been displaced. Mullaitivu hospital suffers an acute shortage of medicines and authorities say the Out-Patients Department may have to be closed.
Food lorries northwards from Vavuniya were halted for eight days following Operation Edibala in early February bringing pressure on food stocks in the Vanni. In mid-February, private lorry owners refused to carry relief accusing the government Essential Services Commissioner of paying under-rates. Although 50 lorryloads of food are needed in the Vanni daily, only 50 lorries a week crossed the Thandikulam border checkpoint in February.
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