Funding for north

Monday, 28 January 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Politics is defined by some as polite-tricks, but some of the actions taken by the Government have gone far beyond this mundane play of words to undermine any hope of reconciliation for Sri Lanka.

It was reported over the weekend that the Government has withdrawn more than Rs. 560 million allocated for development work to Northern Province local councils controlled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). The move comes in a year during which Northern Provincial Council elections will be held, as repeatedly pledged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The funds were meant for rural roads, construction of new buildings for local councils, building new markets and other structures in 2013, Jaffna’s Local Government Assistant Commissioner S. Jeyaharan had told media. The directive for the withdrawal, he said, had come from the Ministry of Local Government.

The report also indicated that the funds in question would be placed in the hands of the Governor of the Northern Province for utilisation in projects he identified. A local councillor alleged that the withdrawal of funds from only the TNA-controlled councils was politically motivated.

Apparently, in councils where the pro-Government Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) was in control, there had been no withdrawal of funds. They are allowed to spend freely on projects. The EPDP is led by Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Minister Douglas Devananda, who is a well-known supporter of the Rajapaksa regime.

Of the 17 local councils in the north, 13 are controlled by the TNA. Following repetitive questions by the international community (read US), the Government has promised to hold elections on or before September 2013. With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) tabled for November, the Government will be keen to present a rosy tinted picture of reconciliation, especially given the tough time Canada is giving it presently and possible repercussions from the controversial impeachment of the Chief Justice.

After having their fingers severely burned during the previous round of elections in the north, the Government is clearly getting ready to throw every trick in the book and several outside it to win votes. The “might is right” attitude that has gradually loomed over the country is now creeping its shadows into new and ever more disturbing avenues, with no one speaking out or having the power to counter such reprehensible steps.

Having pledged to follow the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and devolve power to found a political solution, the Government is now moving away from even basic democracy and balance of power. By taking funding away from TNA local councils, it is undermining the right of the people who have elected these representatives into power. The fact that they may not be those beloved by the centre does not give them the right to then withdraw public funds dedicated to rehabilitating these areas devastated by decades of war.

For Sri Lanka to have even a hope of peace, such suppressive and unfair practices need to be stopped. The best way to promote law and order is to follow it. So far the Government has mostly paid it much lip service and the casualty has been justice. Such power hungry actions can cost Sri Lanka’s future.