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Boon for the Northern farmer

Economic dislocation and ethnic peace do not go together. This has been our experience too although it should be admitted that ethnic discord has its roots in a multiplicity of other factors also. Chief among these is a community's need to protect and enhance its sense of identity and its increasing alienation from a central State which proves indifferent to its legitimate needs.

Nevertheless, economic destabilization could play a central role in ethnic rebellion and strife and Sri Lanka in the late Seventies and early Eighties, could testify to this truth. Those were the times economic liberalization or the "Open economy" had a disastrous impact on the economy of Northern Sri Lanka. Until then, the produce of the Northern farmer was reaching markets in the South and goods from the latter were penetrating Northern markets. In other words, symbiotic economic links united the Northern and Southern economies.

This state of healthy mutual inter-dependence was disrupted with the onset of economic liberalisation in the mid Seventies. While until then Southern Sri Lanka was considerably dependent on Northern produce, such as Bombay onions and green chillies, these links came asunder with the liberalized importation of the same commodities, with the dismantling of import controls.

The social impact of these drastic economic changes proved adverse. The inability to market their produce accompanied by restricted income from the soil and dimming economic prospects added to the sense of grievance welling in some Northern hearts.

Coupled with other factors, such as dwindling job opportunities in the State sector, these conditions constituted a fertile ground for ethnic rebellion.

All this could be considered history but its lessons shouldn't be lost on us and it is encouraging to note that the Government is not missing out on grassroots realities. The proposal to set up what are described as Dedicated Economic Centres in the North, for the purpose of marketing Northern agricultural produce which cannot find ready markets, is a timely measure which could bring considerable relief to the Northern farming community.

We learn that three such centres would be set up, including one in the Kilinochchi district. These centres, it is hoped, would wipe out any residual economic grievances among the Northern populace.

However, what is equally noteworthy, is the gradual revival of economic activity in these once war-affected areas.

The cessation of hostilities is enabling the Northern citizenry to engage in their livelihoods and considerable produce is stemming from their labours. Such are the positives achieved by the peace process. By ensuring a steady income for the working masses of the North-East the steady momentum of the peace effort wouldn't be difficult to sustain.

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