New Villages Development Authority for hill-country Tamils

Borrowing from the concept of the Southern Development Authority, which had a visible presence during the previous regime led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the present government has decided to establish a similar body for the welfare of over one-million plantation community, which essentially comprises the hillcountry Tamils.

To be called the Hill Country New Villages Development Authority, the proposed organisation will have a “strong institutional mechanism.” It will carry out the functions of planning and coordination. A few days ago, the Cabinet gave its nod for getting a bill drafted in this regard.

At present, the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), a body comprising representatives of the Sri Lanka government, regional plantation companies (RPC) and trade unions, is in place. Set up in 1992, the PHDT’S mandate is to implement social development programmes for the community.

However, it suffers from several handicaps such as limited scope and coverage, reliance on contributions of the RPCS and the absence of the role of coordination with other Ministries, Departments and agencies.

Early this year, the government adopted a five-year action plan of US$ 690 million for the economic, social and educational development of the community and this has been called ambitious in certain quarters. As part of the action plan, the idea is to build 56,500 houses at an approximate investment of UD$ 575 million. The proposed Authority has been conceived to ensure effective implementation of the action plan also, an official says. P. Muthulingam, a Kandy-based prominent face of the community and who was involved in the formulation of the proposal for the body, says there will be no duplication of functions between the PHDT and the new set up. The latter will enjoy greater powers. (The Hindu)