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World Bank help to develop South

Concluding a two-day visit to Hambantota and its surrounding villages, World Bank Vice President for South Asia Mieko Nishimizu committed the institution to the development of the South of Sri Lanka as part of its effort to support nationwide prosperity for the country's emergence from two decades of civil war.

"Many voices from the poorest villages of Hambantota taught me that the richest resource in the South is the extraordinary will of the people," said Nishimizu. "Everyone is hopeful now that Sri Lanka has a historic opportunity to consolidate its peace. It will not do this without economic development of the kind that reaches out across the country and includes, even and most especially, the poorest citizens. The poorest Sri Lankans are in the South and the North-East. We will support the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka and the peace process itself to reach out to them boldly and inclusively."

The World Bank will support the Government in establishing an economic development programme for the South. Details will be worked out in the months ahead but elements may include tank repairs, drinking water, village roads, crop storage and marketing and microfinance, and securing this development in the context of sound environmental choices.

Nishimizu, accompanied by World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka Peter Harrold, heard from villagers of the South that water was their primary challenge in this drought-prone area. In addition, many villagers were plagued by wildlife, particularly elephants.

"As we support the Government in articulating a programme for the South which includes a vision for rural development, we need to remember that many of the poorest villagers already have this vision and know what needs to be done," said Harrold.

"Any programme to develop the South needs to be driven by their priorities and their choices. Whether it is the rehabilitation of a tank or a canal system, the villagers for whom these choices mean life or death must be directly involved. And they must remain involved through being entrusted with the responsibility to manage and maintain these resources over time. Only in their hands can the development of the South be sustainable," he said.

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