Situation
Prior to the conflict, the Eastern Province had a well-functioning administration at provincial and local levels and adequate arrangements for the provision of basic social services. Two decades of conflict have resulted in serious damage to the administrative ad service delivery system. The conflict has also severely affected the capacities of the private sector and civil society with regard to reconstruction and development activities. So there is an urgent need to lay the foundation for a modern public administration, effective regional and local government, an effective private sector and a dynamic civil society.
Key issues
- Lack of human resources at Government offices
The lack of human resources in Government offices is a serious issue. In the Eastern Province, most of the administrative posts are currently vacant and a considerable amount of the existing staff are either nearing retirement or are on post- retirement duty. Many of these vacancies are in managerial, financial and technical fields.
- Lack of infrastructure facilities at Government Offices
Infrastructure facilities in Government offices have been seriously affected by the conflict. It has been estimated that 60% of buildings belonging to the administration and Local Authorities are either destroyed or damaged. Similarly, most of the equipment in certain districts has been lost, destroyed or made unusable. Therefore, they are in need of urgent repair and renovation.
- Lack of institutional capacity to deliver basic service at local level
Most of the local government authorities in the area lack capacity in terms of finance, human resources and infrastructure to deliver services. Local authorities are expected to supply of services such as rural roads, water supply, solid waste disposal, marketing facilities etc. It has reported that some Pradesiya Sabhas do not even have proper buildings to carry out their day-to-day work. Vehicles, equipment and other infrastructure facilities are grossly not adequate for these institutions to perform their functions effectively.
- Limited opportunities for training and skills development
For a long time, Provincial and Local level offices staff have not been able to participate in training and skills development programmes due to unrest in the area. Therefore, they didn't have an opportunity to gain new skills or knowledge when compared with their counterpart officers in the other Provinces except the North.
- Need for Increased Attention to Human Rights Concerns
The human rights concerns of communities and individuals affected by the conflict include civil and political rights, the rule of law, access to justice, good governance and economic, social and cultural rights such as education and language. Immediate and adequate attention needs to be given to human rights issues in order to minimise sources of tension and to cultivate the ground for reconciliation and peace in the Province. It is recognised that in order to be effective, human rights issues also need to be set in a country wide context rather than focusing only on one area. It is important that human rights issues be addressed in a manner that allows a multi-ethnic, multi- religious, participatory and people-centred approach.
- Inadequacy of security in the province to ensure effective civil administration and guarantee of human rights
It is estimated that approximately 3,000 police men need to be immediately deployed to facilitate the re-establishment of an effective civil administration and to provide a safe environment. In this regard, it is necessary to provide required facilities and equipment without delay.
- To establish normal civil administration in the province creating a conducive environment for harmonious living and peace building.
- To improve productivity of the existing public officers particularly at managerial and technical levels.
- To strengthen the delivery of public service in the area.
- To ensure efficient judicial system and low enforcement mechanism
- Enhancing through training, the policy formulation and management skills of public servant and their service orientation
- Establishing a transparent and efficient procurement system
- Capacity development and institutional strengthening
- Establishment of the internal civil security system
1. Enhancement of Internal Security
Ensuring civil administration through establishment of 12 police stations and 42 police posts, modernization of the existing police stations and provision of vehicles for them.
2. Improvement of Provincial and Local Administration
Provision of training facilities for the public officers at provincial & local level and purchase of office equipment for the Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities.
3. Improvement of District and Divisional Administration
Improvement of infrastructure facilities at district and divisional level, provision of equipment to District and Divisional Secretariats and filling the vacancies.
4. Anti-corruption and promotion of transparency and accountability
Strengthening the judicial system through improvement of modern infrastructure facilities and provision of training facilities for judges and state counselors.
Investment Programme
Table 7.1 Investment Plan for the Capacity Building of the Public Institutions
next page Investment Plan
- Resettlement of IDPs
- Productive Sectors
- Economic Infrastructure
- Social Infrastructure
- Human Settlements
- Public Institutions
- Investment Plan
