Empowerment imperative for economic growth- Minister Bogollagama

(August 07, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Commending the government of Sri Lanka for the steps taken to ensure the welfare of the displaced in the north within a short period of time under challenging circumstances, Minister of International Co-operation of Canada, Beverley J. Oda added that having visited the welfare villages the conditions there were very much better than she had anticipated based on reports, during the discussions at her meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama today (7 August 2009). The visiting Canadian Minister informed that the Canadian government would be increasing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka by an additional Canadian $15 million bringing Canada’s total commitment for this year to Canadian $ 22.5 million.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama welcomed the announcement of increased Canadian assistance which he said would complement the ongoing provision of immediate humanitarian aid to the displaced in the north. He also shared Sri Lanka’s current need for de-mining equipment to ensure the completion of the resettlement process on schedule.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama stressed the need for Canada and Sri Lanka to strengthen their partnership through a long term development agenda. Given Canada’s long history of involvement in Sri Lanka’s development process, he welcomed the action being taken by Canada to participate in future economic progress. He pointed out that development assistance would be best at a bilateral level and could be done in a manner that is ensured to filter to the people, through government support.

Minister Oda observing that Canada and Sri Lanka share similar values, expressed hope that the two governments could develop a strong partnership that will contribute to the economic growth of Sri Lanka.

Pointing out that improving household income holds the key to economic empowerment of the people Minister Bogollagama emphasized the need to work directly with communities, with the facilitation of line agencies, as appropriate. In this regard, he opined that undertaking development projects at the level of provincial councils would be ideal for capacity building purposes, as it strikes the right balance between benefiting the communities and ensuring local government participation. In this context, he advised that Canada should examine its development assistance being used for livelihood support of the people in the north particularly in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, livestock and auxiliary industries.

Explaining the current political situation in Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Bogollagama highlighted the importance of the forthcoming local government elections in the north for the long term political future of Sri Lanka. The current political situation in Sri Lanka presents an important opportunity to the electorate in the north, he said. The Minister elaborated that without the threat of terrorism, the Tamil people would be able to decide for themselves on a leadership and arrive at a more independent stance. He also detailed the manner in which power has been devolved from the centre to the provincial and local levels. The Foreign Minister outlined the evolving developments in the APRC process and was confident that all political parties would eventually come together in working out a viable political settlement. He observed that the post conflict era is most opportune to this end.

Minister Bogollagama described the challenges in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process including efforts to build a bilingual civil service which he said the government is trying to encourage through education and incentives. Minister Oda observed that Canada too had to undergo many challenges in the process of building a successfully functioning pluralistic society.

Minister Beverley Oda traveled to Vavuniya on Thursday to monitor the utilization of Canadian humanitarian assistance and observed the provision of facilities in schools, vocational training centres, hospital and clinics in the welfare villages. She welcomed the fact that the government school curriculum was continuing and examinations being held in those schools. She expressed her happiness to observe the resettlement process progressing with the latest phase being initiated the day before her visit to Vavuniya. Canadian development projects seek to be flexible to cater to the needs of the end user while maintaining accountability she added.

Minister Oda reiterated Canada’s confidence in the development of Sri Lanka taking into consideration the progress that has been made in the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and in the resettlement process. Her visit demonstrated Canada’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s future and its people she said. Minister Oda promised to take a message to the diaspora in Canada to promote engagement with Sri Lanka.

-Sri Lanka Guardian