P-TOMS will not lead to separate state - Prof. Tissa Vitharana
by Milton Dharmasinghe - Bulathsinhala special corr.
Although almost all the countries in the world were supporting the
Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) on Tsunami Relief
Council (TRC) signed with LTTE by the Government for the rehabilitation
activities of the tsunami affected areas in North, East and South, two
political parties in Sri Lanka are against it and started protest
campaigns. It is strange and contrary to Buddhist philosophy, said
Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana in Madurawala.
The Minister said so when he was addressing a meeting held recently
at Madurawala, in Bulathsinhala electorate on the occasion of opening of
Vidatha Training Centre and laying the foundation stone to the new two
storeyed building for the Vidata Resource Centre at Madurawala, the
first centre in Kalutara district.
Addressing the gathering the Minister said, further those parties who
oppose the Tsunami Relief Council say that it would be a great danger
for the sovereignty of the country, it would lead to separate the
country and devolve the power. "I will firmly say that nothing of that
nature will happen by forming a council for tsunami relief activities
and it is not a danger to our country."
Although the council operates with the help of LTTE, they will not be
able to play out foreign aid. Rehabilitation activities are conducted
according to certain proposals and set-plans. A representative from the
President is in the Council. There are representatives from foreign
donor countries to inspect the activities carried out. If either the
LTTE or any other groups try to misappropriate the development funds,
the donor countries will suspend their aid. Funds for the relief
activities are released through the Treasury and the funds are issued
and used according to the Financial Regulations of the Government.
District councils or regional councils can not take their own
decisions, they will have to work according to common decisions. "The
Tsunami Relief Council functions only for one year with the Government.
After that for another three years they have to function separately in
the same way.
Donor countries have pledged to provide Sri Lanka about 2200 Million
US Dollars. If the Government is not ready to utilise the monies for
rehabilitation activities of the tsunami affected people and areas, they
will provide their aid to LTTE or some other NGO's who are willing to
undertake the task. If this happens, the rest of world and the donor
countries will come to know there are two separate states in Sri Lanka.
If foreign aid is properly managed and used for the promotion of the
welfare of the people and the country, we will be able to save
Government funds out of which we'll surely be able to carry out the
proposed development programmes in the country during this year.
Projects like Vidatha will be able to work successfully."
Some groups think the Government of today is not strong. The
government has allocated funds for the development work for this year.
According to the constitution the President can carry on the Government
even without Ministers upto the end of this year. The UNP dos not like
to go for a fresh election now itself. They are not in a situation to
face an election. However UNP will assist the Tsunami Relief Council.
Regarding the Vidatha Programme of the Ministry of Science and
Technology the Minister said, 'Under this programme Science and
Technology will be brought to the rural level.
It has been planned to set up 320 Vidatha Resource Centres throughout
the country. Today for the first time in Kalutara District, Vidatha
Resource Centre and a Training Centre have been opened in Madurawala
area. From this centre, rural youth, and schoolchildren will be able to
get scientific and technical knowledge and improve their education.
Traditional producers in the village too will be helped.
New technology could be used to promote their productions, find
markets for their products, new local industries with local materials
could be started and a new life for their industries will come.
They will get opportunities to use computers, information technology,
and contact with international web sites. People can start 'Vidatha'
clubs from which they will be able to approach the resource centres.
This programme will not provide instant results, but it takes some
time.' |