Reviving the North

Rebuilding of the war battered North cannot be confined to rejuvenating the life of its people alone. It needs a holistic revival of all aspects and facets of life that was an entrenched feature in the North. It is only then that the people will begin to realize the true freedom and peace dividend.

In this context the steps taken by the Government to revive all industries in the North and East bears significance. Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella revealed that industries in the North and East are to be streamlined and under this intuitive Rs 563 million is to be set apart for infrastructure development in the North and East aimed at restarting all abandoned industries including 36 factories in the Atchuveli Industrial Estate. The war destroyed almost all major factories and industries in the North and East depleting overall production in the whole country.

The loss of these industries such as the KKS cement factory and Valachchenai paper factory that was blasted by the terrorists had a huge bearing on the national economy as well.

There were other industries too in the North that contributed to the national economy in a big way but ceased to function under the prevailing climate. Apart from industries there were also major tourist hotels that put up shutters. All this brought the economy of the North to a grinding halt robbing people of their livelihoods.

It is time that these industries are revived to their true potential and capacities so that it would not only be a shot in the arm to the Northern economy but the national economy as a whole.

The Government should take the initiative not only in building the necessary infrastructure to give new life to these abandoned industries it should also think in terms of injecting new investment with private sector collaboration to provide value added quality to these industries. We say these because some of these industries may not be able to take up the new challenges before it after being in hibernation for long years and would need new ideas and inputs to meet the present day demands.

This is also an ideal time to re-open the business ventures that were run by the Sinhala community in the North. It is well known that Southerners virtually ran a bakery monopoly in Jaffna in the pre-war days and were in big demand due to the quality of their products. Besides this would also be another step in the integration process towards which the President is working assiduously.

It is bound to kindle the memories of peaceful coexistence that prevailed in the past and help ease tensions and build communal harmony. No doubt the blend of traditional Sinhala businessman and the enterprising Northerner would create fertile ground for the rejuvenation of the Northern economy while forging fresh bonds between the communities.

It is not only the major factories, steps should also be taken to rebuild and revive all industries in the North that suffered due to the war. There were some small scale industries that were unique to the North and whose products were popular in the South. There were thriving Palmyra-based industries which were among those that drove the Northern economy in those good old days. Old timers still recall with nostalgia the various Palmyra based treacle other products and delicacies that were lapped up with relish by the people of the South.

This not only made people in the South enjoy these delicacies but it also helped forge an understanding and appreciation of the skills, know-how and workmanship of the people of the North creating a mutual bond and respect. Besides these small scale industries also provided a huge boost to the Northern economy and steady income avenues to the local population. Alas the war destroyed this even tenor, not only destroying these indigenous industries but also the life pattern of the people.

Hopefully the Government will before long see to it that these indigenous industries of the North are brought back to their former active state so that they may be able to hold their own show casing the trade mark skills and dexterity of the people of the North and enabling the people of the South to once again savour the products turned out by the unique craft of the Northerner.