BATTICLOA – Waiting for the Singing Fish……


The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government: Thomas Jefferson

The chances of Batiticloa becoming a tourist spot and fulfilling its economic potential remains dimmed by the ongoing conflict. Many ancient dams, irrigation tanks and abandoned villages form pre-Christian times exist in this region (Wikipedia). Long stretches of golden sandy beaches also lie in wait for a day that will see them filled with holiday makers.

Commerce under strain

Traditionally, rice and coconuts have been the two staples of the district whilst steamers trading around the island have called on the port. The district also hosts a lagoon that has the famous ‘singing fish’, a shell-fish that is known to give forth musical notes. Large scale shrimp faring also used to take place.

Now, trade and commerce faces the severe barriers under the current military blockade. The 300 km journey to Batticloa from Colombo currently takes between 8 – 12 hours depending on the vehicle type. Long stretches of road are only traversable at speeds of around 10kmph. At night there is the added danger of being caught in an artillery cross-fire, something that is not unheard of. During our recent mission to the district we witnessed frequent flashes of light and the deafening noise of outgoing artillery that immediately made us empathize with all children and civilians caught up in battle zones around the world. Where stretches of roads are tarred, all vehicles including busses take the opportunity to ‘step-on-it’, hitting top speeds in order to get the journey over with and minimize time spent on the road.

The distance between Habarana and Batticloa, stretching out over some 45 km, host the most dilapidated of all roadways and traveling is additionally delayed by the generous spread of check-points every 10-15 km. The polite and good natured conduct of those military personnel manning the check-point was found to be of a very professional and commendable standard. However, the overall scene is one of heavy militarization with only four-wheel drive vehicles of INGO’s and action-ready military vehicles moving about the district. Very few regular civilian vehicles were noted.

Many parts of roadway also bear the signs of shelling and have large holes that could not have been formed by other than exploding ammunition. Some 72 villages in the district were identified as ‘mine affected’ in 2005 according to studies.

Civilians who work in the district schools and other sectors tend to travel out of the district at night, tending to live in the neighboring Polonnauwa district. Those that frequent the main routes speak of regular attacks by the LTTE on government camps that are located all along the main road. Hit and run tactics appear to be common practice. Fearing getting caught up in cross-fires, people tend to exodus out of the area before sun-down in a manner comparable to residents of Transylvania locking-up their doors before night-fall.

Missing answers

An entire 360 degrees of opinion can be found on almost any topic when speaking with the local residents of the town. For instance, on the issues of the abducted Eastern University Head, many belonging to the ethnic community seem to point the finger at the authorities or a group back by them. Others blame the LTTE who they say had been angered by remarks made by the University official.

Some observers note that a shifting of opinion has taken place amongst those living there in favor of the government. However, the staying power of and such opinion shift will depend on the ability of the government to bring about some form of lasting settlement in the area. If things continue as they are, the livelihood possibilities of those who live in the district will continue to be severely affected. There is also talk of Provincial elections in the offing.

Statements made by government officials who claim to be seeking greater contribution to economic growth from other provinces apart form the Western Province also insult the intellect of observers and local people alike. If things continue as they are, the likely-hood of improving the contribution to GDP from Eastern Province is very slim by any stretch of the imagination. The same could be said of the North. If the human development indictors are used for analysis, the situation would show dramatic deterioration over the past twelve months.

Plight of children

According to UNICEF data, there are some 115,816 children of schooling age in Batticloa and some 232 primary and secondary schools. Issues related to poverty, and conflict are at the fore of challenges faced by both parents and children. Unfinished business of Tsunami reconstruction also adds additional burdens on those affected.

There is an urgent need for more investment into school infrastructure, qualified teachers and safe access for children traveling to schools. The overall economic depression in the district has also stifled the ability of parents to meet the needs of their children in terms of school uniforms, books, and other learning material.

UN information also notes that many children in the district do not live and develop in a protective and supporting environment with family and parental care. An unknown number of children live in institutions, some of which are unregistered with the Department of Probation and Child Care. Child abuse and neglect is also reported to be rife. Child recruitment into militias and child labor have also been noted and highlighted during a recent visit by the UN Special Advisor on Children and Armed Conflict who leveled-out blame on all parties involved, including the authorities. The saying that ‘it takes 15 year to built the mind of a youth to becoming a civilized and productive member of society and just thee minutes of conflict to destroy that mind’ holds true today as it has done throughout the ages.

Way forward

Over on the other side of the tsunami, the Aceh conflict that had been raging for some 29 years was resolved to a large extent following the 2004 Boxing Day destruction as the opportunity to join hands for reconstruction was taken.

The salient points of the peace agreement included the withdrawal of Indonesian troops from Aceh and an amnesty that facilitated 50,000 guerrillas laying down their arms. The Agreement brokered by Finland and inked in Helsinki also allowed representatives of the Free Aceh Rebels (GAM) to participate in local elections.

Both sides had to come up with a last-minute compromise after Jakarta had initially resisted calls for the GAM to become a political party. The second sticking point was a workable demilitarization formula for the Province consisting of four million people. Both sides agreed to an international mission of 200 European observers and 100 monitors from the Association of South Asian Nations.

“Many Acehnese say that such a task force would have been unthinkable prior to the arrival of thousands of international observers and aid workers in Aceh to help with tsunami relief. In May 2003, Indonesia had imposed a state of emergency in Aceh, restricting entry of foreigners to the province. The opportunity for a peace pact emerged earlier this year when the GAM dropped their historic demands for independence. The most thorny issue in the talks, negotiators said, was that of political representation for the separatists. Jakarta had feared that allowing the GAM to run in local elections could lead to a referendum like the one in East Timor in 1999 that ended Indonesian rule. (Christian Science Monitor).

Whilst protests did mark the August 15 one year anniversary of the peace deal as the people of Aceh voiced their grievances of the Jakarta government shortcomings, the former rebels have expressed that they will not return to armed struggle. The resource rich Province still has a fair chance of fulfilling its full economic potential whilst Batticloa in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province waits.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Population 486,447
Ethnic composition in per cent Tamil approx: 74
Sri Lankan Moors approx: 26

CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION
No. of health facilities (hospitals, centers) 52 hospitals, 26 health centers
Under-5 underweight 38.2 per cent
Under-5 wasting 14.4 per cent
Under-5 stunting 24.7 per cent
No. of primary/secondary schools 323
School attendance 5-14 years old 95.1 per cent
TSUNAMI IMPACT
No. of dead 2840
Schools destroyed or damaged Destroyed 12, damaged 25

Source: UNICEF (April 2006)


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