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by D.B.S.JEYARAJ
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was forced to cut short her holiday in Britain
because of the Tsunami disaster and return to Sri Lanka. One of her foremost tasks
after reaching Colombo was to "undo" all what Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had
accomplished within a short time - frame in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and
bring the entire relief and re - construction effort under the centralised authority of the
president. The speedy return and "sacrifice" of holiday seems to have been propelled
more by narrow political considerations rather than overwhelming concern for the
affected people.
Her brother Anura vacationing in the USA was not in a hurry like the sister. Perhaps he
was confident that his perceived rival from Girawapattu would have his wings clipped
because his "akki" had returned to do the needful. Finally "Mallo" too managed to get
hold of a return flight and came home 12 days later. One of his first tasks was to criticise
the 100 metre limit on the coast reportedly proposed by the Prime Minister. "Stupid
idea" he called it. It seemed obvious that the tourism minister was aiming to protect and
foster the tourism sector at all costs while playing intra - party political rivalry.
This column too feels that the knee jerk reaction to impose limits on re- building or fresh
construction along the coast was not a sound decision. This is because this column
opines that the displaced people particularly the fisherfolk should not be prevented from
returning to their homes if they so desired. Moreover keeping people in refugee camps
while an inefficient government plodded on with the slow rebuilding of houses was not
fair by the displaced. The solution to another possible tsunami was not to clear the
coastal areas but set up effective warning systems and erecting protective barriers. But
Bandaranaikes concern in this case was to preserve tourism.
Now TAFREN"s Mano Tittawela too says that these 100, 200, 300 metre limits will be
evaluated on a sector by sector basis. Given Mr. Bandaranaikes political clout and the
power of the tourism lobby there is no doubt that the hotels will continue to dot the
coastal landscape tsunami or not. What this column fears is that ultimately the pre-
tsunami inhabitants of the coast are going to be uprooted in the name of post- tsunami
development while choicy chunks of valuable coastal real estate will be utilised to the
advantage of the powerful and privileged.In a flagrant exhibition of double standards
coastal dwellers will be relocated on the pretext of safety while tourist resorts will spread
tentacles all over the beaches.
Anura Bandaranaike's determination to prioritise the needs of the tourism sector over
and above the larger interests of the displaced population at large is only symptomatic of
a deeper malaise. The manner in which President Kumaratunga and her cronies have
been going about this massive humanitarian task of rehabilitating and re - building
tsunami affected Sri Lanka leaves much to be desired. Two trends seem patently clear.
The post - tsunami reconstruction is being done in a highly questionable, secretive
centralised approach under which the voices of the affected underclass are not being
heard.If fate in the form of tsunami has dealt the underprivileged a terrible blow the state
in the name of post - tsunami relief is arbitrarily deciding the future of this pathetically
marginalised sector.
Secondly the post - tsunami rebuilding effort seems to be going far beyond the
imperative need to alleviate sufferings of the affected and displaced people. The
ambitious plans formulated without consulting the affected people envisage heavy
allocation of resources and investment in projects totally outside the parameters of post
- tsunami rebuilding.
A powerful indicator of the disparity in global perspective has been the response of the
rich countries towards the tsunami disaster and the AIDS situation in Africa. As Stephen
Lewis the UN special envoy on the issue of combating aids notes the Western nations
and Japan have enthusiastically pledged towards Asian tsunami reconstruction within a
month a sum nearly equal to that of what has been grudgingly allocated over a period of
four years to treatment and prevention of aids in Africa. The reasons for this are well
-known.
Sri Lanka has been particularly fortunate in attracting the western world's sympathy
thanks mainly to the excessive attention given by global media , the spontaneous
upsurge of caring concern amid foreign people , the high profile visits of people like
Colin Powell, Kofi Annan, Paul Martin etc and the untiring efforts of its ethnically divided
Diaspora that engaging in propaganda with different objectives. The Country was also
lucky because of the international situation with the prickly politics of Jakarta -
BandaAceh on the one hand and India declining international assistance on the other.
Thus Sri Lanka remains the major beneficiary of international munificence. Making hay
while the sun shines Colombo has drawn up elaborate plans for reconstruction costing
$3.8 billion US dollars. Iran in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake received
pledges of more than a billion dollars. Yet only 17million dollars have been actually given
so far. Some doubt whether Sri Lanka too would be given the same treatment as time
goes by. Others feel that the situation is different and that Sri Lanka would definitely get
staggered tsunami aid to the tune of at least 2 billion US dollars. It could be even more if
Sri Lanka performs well and delivers by way of reconstruction and strengthening the
peace process. But then there is that very big IF.
A notable feature of the "charity"phenomenon towards tsunami victims in the developed
world is that it is fundamentally people driven. Due to many reasons there was a genuine
upsurge of sympathy among the ordinary people in these countries towards tsunami
affected regions. The people gave and gave as never before responding to a disaster
in another region. Numerous little children broke open their piggy banks in touching
gestures.
The foreign governments had to take this popular feeling into account when pledging
massive amounts for relief and rehabilitation because the people wanted it so. In that
context the chances of governments renegading on their pledges on a large scale are
very unlikely. At the same time Kumaratunga and her lackeys must note that this
international generosity is a "people to people" gift meant for the affected victims and not
for other purposes.
What troubles this column is that the massive aid given Sri Lanka could be abused and
misused. Despite lofty pronouncements and pseudo - Churchillian rhetoric Kumaratunga
is showing all the signs of negative bungling as has been typical in the past. The first
lady who steadfastly remains unpunctual in spite of a decade as President remains true
to form as a person who will not or cannot change. Her track record in the post - tsunami
phase too does not augur well for the future.
Lets do a quick survey! Chandrika returns home and immediately dissolves the
structures set up by her Prime Minister. She brings everything under her control. The
tsunami crisis and aftermath required a de - centralised approach given the socio -
political - economic aspects of affected society. What was needed by the government
was to outline broad policy and coordinate all relief and rehabilitation activity Instead of
coordination we have excessive centralization that stifles and suppresses. People
without any touch with grass root realities are laying out guidelines enmeshed in red
tape. Apart from its impracticality this centralization goes against the general thrust of
Constitutional reform which seeks to devolve more power to the periphery.
This centralization has been exclusive, secretive and despite bombastic propaganda to
the contrary flawed and ineffective. The Prime Minister and important ministers including
those from affected areas are excluded in the major decision making or policy
formulation process. The coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna which has its
political stronghold in the affected southern province is not consulted or included. The
chief opposition except for some exercise in optics is out too. The Parliamentarians
representing the East and North too are not in.. Neither the Tamil National Alliance nor
the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress have been consulted formally.
What has been done is to set up three task forces under the President. The two crucial
ones are headed by her confidantes Tara de Mel and Mano Tittawela both of whom hold
other posts too. There is no doubt that both of them particularly de Mel are capable
efficient people. The point however is that vital functions regarding tsunami relief and
reconstruction have been placed under centralised authority that bypasses in some way
the civil administration and does not give priority to the people.
In the case of TAFREN under Tittawela many of the members are from the private
sector. These are successful commercial giants but totally out of place in the TAFREN
set up. What is needed more in such an institution is participation of the affected people
or their representatives. It is only then that the concerns and welfare of the ordinary
people will be accommodated and protected. The entrepreneurial class will certainly
reconstruct but the interests of the people will not be central to these efforts. The foreign
aid is being given to the people of Sri Lanka and not to Presidential favourites to
dispose of.as they wish. Efficiency cannot be the sole criterion. Even fascists were
efficient. What is of utmost importance here is that the needs and hopes of tsunami
affected peoples interests are given priority.
Unfortunately that is not what is happening now. The affected people of whom around
75% are fisherfolk are not being consulted at all. Most tsunami victims are in a dazed
state still. In most cases even the relief provided has not reached them fully. The victims
are living in camps, with relatives and friends or in their partially damaged dwellings. Few
have returned to work. As far as fisherfolk are concerned they should be facilitated to
resume fishing as soon as possible. It is both therapy and economics. Bureaucratic
bunglers will not encourage that.
Refugees in school camps are being forced to move out so that schools could reopen.
There is a conflict of interests here between Tara de Mel the education secretary who
wants all schools running and Tara de Mel the refugee commissar who should ideally
look out for refugees first. The refugees are being made tent dwellers in a hurried mode.
This government failed the people miserably in the days even weeks after the tsunami.
If not for civil society comprising ordinary people, non - governmental organizations,
religious groups, security forces and LTTE the people would have starved. A slow
government machinery is yet to establish itself in tsunami areas. Yet this top heavy
Presidential task force has been quick to rush out with an elaborate reconstruction plan.
This from a government that is hopelessly muddled with even the figures of the dead as
two different organs are coming out with widely disparate figures. It appears despicable
that a government should go public with a rebuilding plan even before the dead are
accounted for.
Worse still is that this plan has no input from the people . Even full particulars from the
victims have not been collected or tabulated. Northern refugee camps for instance have
been sent Sinhala and English forms to be filled out though victims there are mono
lingually Tamil. How on earth did these people in Colombo formulate a rebuilding plan
even before full particulars of the victims were obtained?Belated newspaper
advertisements are appearing calling for proposals. The actual affected people are not
in a position to say anything constructive right now. All this shows an abysmal contempt
for the victims in whose names the aid is being obtained.
One also learns that local expertise has been spurned in formulating plans. A team of
foreigners without any real awareness of social realities are there advising. There seems
no evidence that any grass roots surveys were done before coming out with plans. Sri
Lanka has the dubious distinction of being the first country to come out with a plan to
beg for donor aid. India nor Thailand have formulated a plan yet because tsunami
assessments are not over. Sri Lanka however rushes out with a development plan
before needs are taken care of or requirements are properly assessed. It appears that
the state which failed the people is now trying to garner funds in the name of the victims
and utilise them for ambitious construction schemes instead of the people. The scanty
funds allocated for peoples needs as opposed to "new" construction shows a huge
discrepancy. It illustrates clearly that the focus is not on the needs of the people.
The difference between local common sense and foreign expertise was illustrated in
several refugee camps in the East. Lack of toilets and overcrowding was a big problem.
The foreign experts were talking of a toilet crisis. Yet locals with years of catering to
refugees came out with a practical suggestion. Refugees were allowed to go out of
camps to other non - damaged houses in the areas and share facilities. Presto! and the
problem was resolved to a great extent.. No one is blaming the foreign experts but they
do lack awareness of social life here.
The 100 - 200 - 300 metre limits and attempt to forcibly relocate fisherfolk seems to have
been made in the ivory towers of Colombo. The fisherfolk cannot be separated from
proximity to the sea. The important thing is to get them back in the sea doing what they
always did - fishing!. There is no guarantee that the next tsunami will hit the same place
it hit earlier. So focusing only on these tsunami hit areas for relocation is downright silly
unless of course the hidden agenda is to get them out of the way and seize those lands
for other reasons.
Besides what would these ivory tower planners have done if the tsunami had hit
Colombo and Negombo and Moratuwa etc. Evacuate all people on and to the west of
Galle Road? This idea of relocating and preventing people from returning home is a
terrible blunder. The protests in Hambantota and Matara and Galle by the slowly
recovering people is only the beginning. In the East where densely populated Muslim
settlements dot the coast this rule cannot be applied mechanically. From
Sainthamaruthu to Hambantota there is much resistance among tsunami victims to these
resettlement plans.
The North - East seems very much neglected in the reconstruction plans.. There is clear
proof that aid is yet to get through fully to the people there. Joseph Pararajasingham
complained that only five minutes was allocated in a two hour meeting to discuss tsunami
issues in Colombo. Though Amparai was the district affected most state media focuses
very little on that. Due to majoritarian political considerations most of the state
sponsored attention is on the Sinhala areas alone. Very little is known about the tiger
controlled areas of the North and pockets in the east.
It is hard to believe that a government which played politics to the low level of keeping
the UN secy - gen out of LTTE controlled areas could ever do the right thing by minority
areas. The policy makers in Colombo seem oblivious to the fact that the rumblings of
discontent in a post - tsunami scenario are heard not only among Tamils but also among
Muslims. This however does not in anyway detract from the magnificient manner in which
ordinary Sinhala people rushed to help Tamil and Muslim brethren after tsunami. It is not
the Sinhala people but their politicians and bureaucrats who are at fault. Though
Amparai district suffered the most the first project was announced not there but in
Hambantota. The North - East accounted for more than two -thirds of victims but the
government seems preoccupied with the South alone.
If this then is the order of things and the tsunami victims are not being consulted when
formulating resettlement plans then for whose benefit are projects being set up?The
centralised and exclusivist nature of planning displays a blatant lack of accountability
and transparency. The answer seems obvious. The ambitious and grandiose projects
envisaged mean a lot of money. Cronyism being what it is a parasitic element is sure to
latch on. One can be sure that a hell of a lot of graft and corruption is going to occur.
What will the JVP do? Make some noise and share the gravy train? or take a principled
stand? If the power coterie in government circles is too greedy and keeps the JVP out
then the "rathu sahodarayas" may have to make a virtue out of necessity and take up an
opposing stance.
One cannot be naive not to presume that much of the aid will have strings attached.
Many of the proposed projects could be anti - poor and anti - common people. After
relocating the fisherfolk from their coastal habitat tracts and tracts of coastal areas could
be given over to tourist resorts. The small fisherman could be eliminated and big
international fishing cartels move in to our seas and shores. Kumaratunga herself has
indicated that she will now move firmly on projects that were put on hold because of
protests from the people. So anti - environmental, anti - poor people projects like
Noracholai coal power, Upper Kotmale power, Eppawela phosphate etc could be rammed
through. The contemplated water privatisation bill is only a sign of things to come.
The people however pathetic and powerless will not go under without resistance. There
will be organized opposition to these post - tsunami anti - poor plans. Anticipating this
perhaps the emergency has been declared silently. The armed forces have been given
powers in the relief work. The emergency treats speaking out against specific projects as
an offence promoting disaffection among the people. The emergency tsunami laws also
allows for confessions made to an ASP admissible as evidence like in the PTA thus
doing away with a vital safeguard in the evidence ordinance against torture and coercion
under custody.
So a possible doomsday scenario could be that of protests against post - tsunami
renaissance projects erupting among the people and being ruthlessly crushed by the
state. Against that backdrop the question of democracy could become a question mark.
Elections could be postponed and a union of the powerful could be established.
Kumaratungas remarks at Hambantota provide an insight into the future.
In this dismal climate four factors are crucial in determining the future. First the role to be
played by the JVP and UNP. Will they go along with this or oppose? Second the LTTE
and how it would fit in all this. Will it strike a deal with Colombo and do its own thing in the
North - East or will it get entangled in conflict again? Third the extent to which relatively
weaker sections of society organize themselves and protest and how the independent
media treats these issues. Fourth the international communities response to blatantly
anti - democratic , anti - poor actions by the Lankan state. Will the cash flow continue or
run dry?There is a "fifth" too. The demonstrated inability of the Kumaratunga regime to
push through projects efficiently. Can she with all sincerity deliver what she promises?
The tsunami disaster was a great set back. The ordinary people rose above race,
religion, caste and creed to face that crisis. Now a hopelessly inefficient state that failed
the people in their time of need is trying to take control of the lives of the victims and
make decisions for them without any consultation. This could have drastic
consequences. If mishandled the politics of post - tsunami renaissance could be another
debilitating disaster. The people must keep vigil on their rulers to prevent such a
calamity. [Sunday Leader]
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