Mullaitivu’s economy on recovery path

M F Jabir in Mullaitivu

The government with the assistance of the military have embarked on several projects to rebuild the battered economy of Mullaitivu after liberating it from from the scourge of terrorism.

Mullaitivu's economy is showing renaissance thanks to the speedy remedial measures taken by the government to revive the economy and is ably assisted by the Army. To add momentum to the government's major infrastructure development projects the 591 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army under the command of Brigadier S K G N B Ehalamalpe has embarked on several projects to empower family units and and bring about economic prosperity in Mullaitivu.

59-1 Brigade Commander S K G N B Ehalamalpe said the Army is intensely complementing the government's efforts in empowering the mullaitive people and bringing about economic revival to Mullaitivu by engaging in various projects to uplift the living standards of the people thus ensuring that Mullaitivu's economy is brought back to the golden era of the seventies where Mullaitivu was a successful cultivation hub. “The Army is well equipped for the purpose. We have the necessary know-how and skills for this endeavour,” he said. Several self employment projects, civilian empowerment drives and school upgrading schemes have been carried out by the 59 Division of the Army under the guidance of 59-1 Commander Brigadier Ehalamalpe ably assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Sanjaya Wanasinghe.

The Army with the assistance of donors have provided many self employment opportunities in Mullativu and its suburbs to civilians. Providing sewing machines, wheel chairs, recruiting teachers from the area to teach Tamil and helping people restart cultivation actives are some of the projects under taken by the Army to uplift Mullaitivu's economy.

Ganeshalingam aged 51 who received a wheel chair from the Army is now a vendor. He has converted his wheel chair into a mobile stall selling cashew nuts betel and sweets. Speaking to Daily News Business he said the government is doing a tremendous job to empower civilians and bring about economic revival in Mullaitive. He also praised the services of Army and said “they even provide me meals thrice a day. I'm ever so grateful to them.” He thanked the government for liberating civilians from the scourge of terrorism.

Ludd Amma is a 78 year orphan who had benefited from the government's Uthuru Vasantaya progamme.

Encouraging self employment

Happy Centre, another initiative of the Army. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe and Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

A new house built by the Army's 59 division named manussakama (humanity)was donated to her. “This house was built using our own funds,” said Lt Col Sanjaya Wanasinghe. We considered who were the most needy persons and picked Ludd Amma among several others as she was destitute,” he said. Ludd Amma thanked the government and the Army for helping her. She said l am happy that Mullaitivu is now free from the clutches of terrorism. I thank the government and Army for liberating us and ushering a dawn of prosperity.” Selvan Mary Nirmala, a widow too received a house from the Army. She lives with her son who sits for the grade 5 scholarship exam this year. Nirmala said, “Now the war is over and we have to get on with our lives. I ‘am a preschool teacher .I lost my husband and had no place to stay until the Army saw my plight and built me a house. I am so thankful to the Army for helping me and my son to live a normal life after a traumatic period.”

Another initiative to bring about economic revival is the introduction of Happy Centres in schools. Lt Col Wanasinghe said under this initiative the Army has provided many Happy Centres to schools in Mullaitivu. Under this scheme sports equipment, material required to develop aesthetic skills and creative talents of children and musical equipment have also been provided to Happy Centrers.

Secretary to the Mullaitivu Traders Association, S. Shivalingam said the shops were closed for almost two years, but now big players such as Arpico, Sri Lanka Insurance, Hatton National, Seylan and State banks, Nestle chilling plant, DSI, Abans, Singer, CIC and PC House have already set up branches which prove that business opportunities are in abundance.

Two private companies are planning to set up two ice plants to serve the fisheries sector while an Indian company is looking at investing in the roof tile manufacturing factory. “What we now need is vocational training schools so that youth could be accomplished to meet the future HR demands,” he said.