On the campaign trail in five districts

Mannar, like in many other northern districts, is also minus the usual party flags, decorations and election offices seen during an election period.

But, the interest in the elections remains high in the district where some 90,000 votes are on offer.

The region, however, is one of the most underdeveloped areas of the country. With farming and fishing being the two main livelihoods in the district, the unemployment rate remains high. Adverse weather conditions often add to their woes. The only factory in the area, which produced garments, has been shut down.

“Mannar is seriously under-developed, only now they are building a bus stand. When it comes to job opportunities, we had one factory and that too is closed. One message to the candidates are that whoever is elected will have to concentrate on these issues,” says Mannar’s Bishop Rev Emmanuel Fernando. (See Box Story).

“There is a disparity in allocating houses for the Tamils as they have to depend on government housing schemes which have been delayed due to lack of funds,” the Bishop also notes. The housing issue is a common problem in the predominantly Tamil areas.

“I was a refugee living in India and now returned to the country and for the past one year, I have been trying to find a house or a land and have not been successful,” said Mohideen Nagoorghani, 33 who makes a living by assisting fishermen.

“I have registered my vote here, but am in two minds as to whom to vote for as my problems have not been resolved. I am re-thinking whether I should go back to India”, Mr. Nagoorghani, a father of two children, remarked.