When the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) blocked the flow of water in the Mavil Aru feeding 30,000 farmers downstream in 2006, the pending humanitarian tragedy pressed the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to accelerate efforts to restore normalcy in the East. The liberation of the East has not only restored normalcy but opened up space for the easterners to march confidently to express their political will at the first ever polls held in nearly 15 years.
Peace without progress can sink their hopes fast. The province is in urgent need of improving the infrastructure facilities and supportive services, which are prerequisites for accelerated development. Recognizing this imperative, the GOSL has set up a comprehensive three year development plan as part of the Eastern Revival, a programme to improve the infrastructure facilities and uplift the living conditions of the people in the East.
Eastern Revival: Three Year Eastern Province Development Plan 2007-2010:
The comprehensive three year development plan for the Eastern Province has been incorporated in the overall “Mahinda Chinthana” – a Ten Year Horizon Development Framework 2006-2016 for Sri Lanka. The programme is steered by the President’s Office and the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development. The provincial authorities, relevant District Secretaries and a wide spectrum of grass root level communities in the Eastern Province play a pivotal role in the formulation of sectoral strategies. The plan has been formulated under the auspices of Department of National Planning, Ministry of Plan Implementation, Ministry of Highways, Department of External Resources, Department of Census and Statistics, Central Bank, Peace Secretariat, Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), United Nations (UN), NGOs, and INGOs. For details, see Three Year Master Plan.
The total investment required for implementation of the proposed strategies has been estimated at Rs. 197 billion (US$ 1840 million) of which 52% is to be met from foreign aid. The remainder is to be financed by the Government, private sector and other volunteer organizations. Of the total investment, Rs. 26.5 billion (US$ 247 million) was allocated in the 2007 Budget of GOSL while Rs. 51 billion (US$ 476 million) is allocated in the 2008 Budget of GOSL.
For details, see Investment Plan for the East.
• Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
• Revitalizing Productive Sectors and the Regional Economy
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Crop Agriculture-
Irrigation- Fisheries- Livestock-
Industries- Tourism- Minor, Small and Medium
Scale Enterprises (MSME)• Improving Economic Infrastructure
- Electricity-
Roads- Transport
(Roads, Railways)-
Ports- Water Supply
and Sanitation-
Rural Infrastructure Development• Strengthening Social Infrastructure and Fostering Social Services
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Education- Health- Youth Affairs and Sports- Culture-
National Heritage-
Social Protection• Development of Human Settlements
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Environment- Urban
Development- Housing
Facilities• Rebuilding the Capacity of Public Institutions in the Province
