Using funds

The international community is already outlining its expectations for Sri Lanka’s long looked forward to reconciliation plans that are set to be unveiled after the upcoming elections. The promises made are high and it can only be hoped the people’s mandate create space for it to move forward.

The United Nations, reiterating its support to Sri Lanka in its efforts to advance reconciliation and accountability, said it believes that there should be “genuine and inclusive” consultations on a national basis, including the Northern Province, to help arrive at the right model in the Sri Lankan context to investigate incidents related to the war.

UN support is always built on the basis of inclusive, transparent and participatory consultations with all key stakeholders, Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has told media in New York. Expanding benchmarks Sri Lanka will be held up to if United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is given the chance to return and form his own Government. 

In response to a question on the UN support to the Government and people of Sri Lanka, the Spokesman said that the organisation supports the country in its efforts to advance reconciliation and accountability. But of course much of this will depend on the outcome of the election and whether the current level of engagement will continue with the UN and Western powers.  

But first impressions have been positive. At the request of the Sri Lankan Government, the UN is exploring the provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance in consultation with all key stakeholders.

An estimated $1 million has already been disbursed to support resettlement and integration initiatives for the remaining internally-displaced persons in the north and east on seized land that has been returned by the Government. For the rest, the UN continues to consult with the Government of Sri Lanka, and all key stakeholders, to finalise the details of UN support.

However, the issue is whether these funds are distributed in the best way to give the most advantage to the people on the ground. For example the UN agencies have followed typical protocol and distributed initial funds of about Rs. 16,000 to each family who have had their land returned to them by the Government to build temporary houses. These are made of cement blocks with woven coconut fronds for roofs and windows. Not only will these houses be unliveable in a few months they are also pointless as these people are not temporary returnees but coming back to settle in their original lands.

Therefore the way forward is to use funds to help these people build permanent homes, re-start their livelihoods and establish basic infrastructure including schools and hospitals. Without crucial support from international agencies to competently coordinate with the Government many families will not have the capacity to return to their lands, even if they are all returned.

Any assistance provided by the UN and other agencies have to be funnelled, in a competent manner, to the people. The danger is that as with the tsunami, the UN and other non-governmental agencies will flood in to claim the funds but much will be left undone on the ground. It is essential steps are taken as soon as possible to ensure Sri Lanka’s return to the international spotlight is used for the benefit of those who have paid the worst price during the war.