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 Home Overseas Projects Sri Lanka Region Strategy
Sri Lanka Strategic Plan 2005-2007
29 March 2006
Sri Lanka was one of the most developed countries in Asia in the post-independence period, with good health and education systems.
Sri Lanka: The second most affected country in the tsunami
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Background - Program Context
Three factors have adversely affected the living standards of urban and rural working people in Sri Lanka:
- Since 1983 there has been armed conflict between the Sri Lankan state/military and Tamil independence forces, now led by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, an organisation with a history of terrorism, which now exercises military and civil control over the northern Vanni region and another enclave in the east. In 2003, after approximately 60,000 were killed in the war and half a million internally displaced, there was a Norwegian-brokered peace agreement, which held uneasily, but now, under various pressures it is closer to a situation of "no peace, no war" and forces on both sides seem to be leading back to open confict.
- In the 1990s, particularly under the UNP government, Washington Consensus policies were imposed on Sri Lanka, leading to deregulation of markets, increased export processing zones with no labour rights, and moves to privatise the public sector, in particular affecting the national health, transport and education systems. Wages for most workers have been held down.
- Sri Lanka was the second most affected country in the tsunami on 26 December 2004, with 8 coastal districts impacted, and over 30,000 killed.
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA history
In the late 1990s APHEDA had unsuccessfully sought AusAID funding for work on occupational health and safety with women workers in manufacturing and food sectors.
Immediately after the tsunami, we became aware, via Australian staff members of Norwegian Peoples Aid, of extensive relief operations on behalf of the Solidar consortium, and we pledged to use appeal funds in part to support relief and reconstruction efforts by the consortium and by SL union based volunteer teams.
Key issues and concerns for Sri Lanka
- The political polarisation and threat of renewed civil/communal war, and corruption within international aid and SL government circles may adversely impact on reconstruction, leaving marginalised and displaced communities suffering.
- There may be conflicts between displaced communities that can benefit from tsunami reconstruction and the war-disabled and displaced who remain with less assistance.
Key strategies for Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA in 2005-08
There are no strategic aims other than in relation to the tsunami:
- In the emergency and relief phase, to support the Solidar consortium in providing temporary shelter, community buildings, electricity, clean water, mine clearance, tsunami-education, rehabilitation of fishing livelihoods, rehabilitation for disabled, food security, and environmental programs in the Vadamarchchi East and Mullaitivu; as well as supporting Solidar's work in education, well clearance and medical supplies in Galle and the southern costal districts along with Rainforest Rescue International. We also supported a SL union alliances, sending volunteers to provide medical supplies, food, water and Other survival supplies mainly to southern coastal areas. Since APHEDA is relatively little experienced in emergency relief, this engagement with more senior Solidar partners has been a valuable learning experience for the organisation.
- In the reconstruction phase assist Solidar in permanent rehousing and environmental management in the Vanni, and with livelihoods training; assist alliances of teachers' union in rehousing affected teachers' families; assist an alliance of health worker unions in providing ongoing medical relief "camps" I to tsunami displaced communities in eight districts; support volunteer medical teams from Australia to provide surgical training in hospitals in tsunami affected areas in SL.
Current projects in 2005-6
As above, due to complete at end of 2006.
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