Tsunami anniversary observed in Sri Lanka North amid tension
People in the Vanni today marked four years since the tsunami devastated the shores of the region.
Thousands gathered at an event in Mullaiththeevu in memory of tsunami victims, presided over by the Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, B. Nadesan. Several observances in the region were disrupted due to nearby bombing by Sri Lankan Air Force.
And four years later the massive reconstruction effort in Sri Lanka is winding down to mixed results.
Sri Lanka government did not allow a much anticipated Joint Tsunami mechanism proposal in the aftermath, to re-build the tsunami ravaged North-East. Several people and dignitaries including President Bill Clinton appealed numerous times that this was in the best interest of Sri Lanka.
President Bill Clinton talking to media in Sri Lanka, Feb 2005
“My experience is, whether it is Middle East or Northern Ireland, whenever people work together on specific issues, it helps to resolve the differences,” President Clinton said in 2005.
According to a recent World Bank report, Sri Lanka’s rebuilding was hampered by ongoing conflict and weak government institutions to carryout re-building.
“Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction was negatively affected by the ongoing conflict. The speed of reconstruction was much slower in the north and east of the country for obvious security-related reasons than in the south and west,” the World Bank reported in a statement to mark the anniversary. The World Bank’s $135 million assistance programme closed in September 2008.
The Bank also said the lack of effective institutions overseeing the reconstruction effort had slowed progress. “Sri Lanka’s tsunami reconstruction was hampered from time to time by the dearth of effective institutions, especially at the central government level, to undertake the huge task of reconstruction.” The Bank said government institutions lacked experience and the capacity to carry out the massive reconstruction effort.
Observances in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaiththeevu district, Dec 26, 2008:
Pic: By Puthinam.com
