CALM AFTER THE STORM- PROGNOSIS OF TASKS AHEAD

Sri Lanka has just witnessed the worst physical destruction and damage through a cyclonic storma natural disaster unparalleled in history.

- BY C. NARAYANASUWAMI

The estimated damage caused by the storm runs to several billions ranging from $4-6 billion. Does Sri Lanka which is just emerging from a severe financial crisis possess adequate human and financial resources to rebuild the devastated nation, specifically its infrastructure and human capital?

Though funds, both local and foreign, are flowing in, the needs outweigh the funding as urgent requirements of restoration and reconstruction remain very high. This brief paper analyses the way forward taking into consideration the experience gathered in the last several decades dealing with similar but not identical emergency situations.

Sri Lanka had faced insurrections, a damaging and long-drawn civil war, and several food security related emergency situations in the past. In varying degrees, the country slowly but steadily overcame these disastrous situations. In hindsight there were situations that were less successfully dealt with than others. The resilience of the Sri Lankans combined with sound political and public service capabilities helped mitigate the damage caused by such events.

Today we are encountering insurmountable difficulties at several levels. We have a new government which is dedicated and committed to rebuild and restore the country to its previous levels, if not better. The President has already shown courage, determination and commitment to restore normalcy and rebuild damaged infrastructure. It is not clear to what extent his cabinet and members of parliament are playing a supporting role but at least it is evident that some key ministers are with him in addressing the overwhelmingly difficult tasks.

The writer, as a former senior public servant, had been directly involved over two decades in rebuilding and reconstruction efforts resulting largely from man-made disasters and provides some thoughts which may help identify possible bottlenecks and the way forward.

TASKS AHEAD