The writer has seen the vagaries and the ebbs and flows of peace, conflict, peace and shades of development from outside of government and more recently from within Government . The piece today captures of chunks of ideas pursued as the previous Governor Northern Province and is focused on the ‘Future North’.
Concept of development bonds and pension fund in the Province
Approval in principle is required from the President as Minister of Finance to formulate a detailed proposal for approval of development bonds and a pension fund for the province. As the previous Governor it was proposed to raise future funds for development and create a shareholder community of citizens who prevent any reason to relapse into conflict in the future and for equitable share of distribution of surplus wealth generated by the resources as a pension fund of the province and for wealth creation across all strata of society in the province and shield the economy from ups and downs.
Objectives include raising private finances for investments, returns and development ; Attracting local and foreign investor funds, be it big or small; Generating revenue through investments for development in the province and investments in financial instruments in select global markets; Creating a wealth owning community of citizens from the province, investors local and foreigna ND attracting surplus wealth of Sri Lankans overseas; Ensuring revenue profits from development is earmarked in part to long stay citizens in the province as a pension fund contributing to a scheme through licensed banks in Sri Lanka with an emphasis on save and grow through part counterpart voluntary contributions of ultimate beneficiaries as a long-term savings plan so that both current and future generations get to benefit. Bonds and pension scheme deposited through CBSL with Treasury administered by the Governor, Central Bank Governor, Secretary/ Treasury and pro Bono ex office advice for startup phase from Tamaseak Fund Singapore (if they consent) or an entity of equal global eminence or from persons of eminence from India, Vietnam, Singapore possessing required competence.
Development of islands off Jaffna
There are natural islands primarily off Jaffna. They have potential for high end tourism, marinas, building of boats and yachts, docking of yachts, re-creation of heritage towns such as Kayts , landing bays for sea planes to name a few. The potential is similar to what Singapore has achieved with lesser assets.
Air route to Jaffna from Chennai is operational. Other destinations in India will likely develop. Ferries from the South of India is a reality. The land bridge from Rameshwaram is another soon to see reality. The President encourages a target of 7.5 MN tourists a year. Given these developments it makes sense to create a mini Singapore as a leisure destination from Jaffna down to Mannar and towards Trincomalee from the eastern side.
BoI and NEDA
The National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), is mandated to ‘encourage and develop enterprise development with special emphasis on the small and medium enterprises sector’. The National Enterprise Development Authority Act No. 17 of 2006 provides for the Minister in charge of Economic Development to declare an area as a “Special Economic Zone” (SEZ) in consultation with the Cabinet of Ministers. The section also provides for the Minister to cause a Company to be incorporated to manage such SEZs. These SEZs could be used as an avenue to provide the requisite land mass in underserved areas. Currently NEDA comes under Ministry of Industries. NEDA is modelled as a smaller version of BoI it makes better sense for it to institutionally become a seamless junior partner of BoI. It helps economies of scale with natural pathways for growing enterprises to graduate and become a BoI venture in scale with commensurate benefits and dividends. NEDA and BoI needs to on the ground. The previous Governor proposed Economic Development Clusters for province(s) to arrive at actionable steps for revenue driven development. A Colombo based Economic Development Cluster to enable policy, convene government agencies in a single window and rapidly undertake due diligence of proposals of investors for revenue yielding development.
India
The idea of an Extended Common Market with India was discussed, and the possibility of an India – Sri Lanka conclave involving the top leadership from Sri Lanka and Indian government, to be held as soon as possible proposed. A Future North conclave was also proposed to spur growth and create a win-win proposition between the Northern Province and India. Work towards a compact with India. The previous Governor additionally sought Special Purpose compacts with the UK, Norway, Switzerland, EU, USA, Canada, and ASEAN. Australia, New Zealand, Gulf States and some African States.
Schools as learning hubs
Integrating support services to drive educational outcomes in the Northern Province. Main Objective is to access to education and skills with IT information highway in the Northern Province. Sub Objectives: Providing basic ICT, English and distance learning through school based labs; Provide comprehensive training in all aspects of ICT training; Training for computer based learning in the classroom; IT hubs for higher education; IT labs for PPP ventures.
Justifications included: Schools are some of the most underutilized assets. Many are used sparingly outside of school hours. Building connections using a learning hub in a technology-rich learning environment with both physical and virtual components provide formal and informal opportunities for learners to come together with peers, teachers, and other experts in their field. A learning hub is a flexible learning environment that is supplied with all required components to teach, engage, and entertain the students. Learning hubs can host formal or informal education processes, and they encourage the collaboration of students and teachers and the community Service Providers and stakeholders: Governors Secretariat Northern Province, Ministry of Education, University of Moratuwa, Mahapola Fund, ICTA, IT higher education content and certification providers from Tamil Nadu.
Courses will be conducted: During regular school hours, after school classes for post O/L and A/L students, Adult education post school hours, Weekend classes for teachers with Long distance learning courses.
Plan: Providing basic ICT, English and distance learning training to teachers through schools based labs. Form a project coordination and management team. Stock take IT skills of teachers and students with aptitude to teach, Link with content providers. e.g. UoM , TN Ministry for IT, Test and upgrade hardware, Identify students. i.e. school going and adults including NP cadre ;Define usage and hours of usage, Cost ,Provide comprehensive training in all aspects of ICT training, Planning meeting with local and foreign experts, Harness open source material, Invite call for interest from other specialized recognized content providers, Training for computer based learning in the classroom, Plan delivery schedule and deliver. IT hubs for higher education-Call for interest from service providers and arrive at MoU’s, Initiate programmes, IT labs for PPP ventures and Cost recovery and revenue generation through PPP for training and BPO.
Jeevan Thiagarajah