Hambantota reaches Commonwealth milestone; hub city goal to propel country
Thursday, 14 November 2013 00:00
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What happens here in the days ahead will ripple from Hambantota to Colombo and other parts of the world, tweeted Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma on 10 November.
That Sunday was the ceremonial opening of the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which heralded the biannual gathering of the Commonwealth nations which account for 2.2 billion people comprising 53 countries.
The 9th Commonwealth Youth Forum began at the newly-built Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall in Hambantota with a vibrant display of colour, music and song at its opening ceremony in Sri Lanka.
The five-day Forum, which concludes on Thursday, under the theme ‘Inclusive Development: Stronger Together!’ saw youth leaders examine their role in formulating the next round of global development goals post-2015, and policies related to the professionalisation of youth work, gender equality, youth employment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and quality education.
Participants also attended skills-building sessions on leadership, social entrepreneurship and reconciliation and social cohesion.
Focus on youth
At the opening ceremony President Mahinda Rajapaksa said: “Today, youth aged 15 to 24 represent one fifth of the world population, with 60% of the total youth population living in Asia. In Sri Lanka too, youth comprise a significant percentage at 26% of the total population. This most energetic group of our population needs to be engaged, enabling them to contribute to the development process.”
“When I was young like you, I had a goal. I always wanted to achieve it,” President Rajapaksa said. “I entered Parliament as its youngest member, and through commitment and hard work, I progressed to become a Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and from there Prime Minister and now the President of our country.”
Just as he did, with the same strength of will, purpose and patience, the youth can reach their goals in the coming years, President said. And for this, he offered his support. “You have my assurance that during Sri Lanka’s tenure as Chairman of the Commonwealth, I will stand with you and support you every step of the way.”
A highlight of the Forum was the launch of the Commonwealth Youth Council, an autonomous youth-led body, which will become the recognised voice of the Commonwealth’s young people and a framework for youth-led development. Delegates on Tuesday voted on the Council’s Executive, which will be responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the Council.
The new Council Executive will present the Forum’s findings to Commonwealth Heads of Government when they meet in Colombo, from 15 to 17 November 2013.
In his opening ceremony address, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: “In today’s fast-moving and closely-connected world, the contribution of young people is pivotal to national development and the values of our societies, and the development of the Commonwealth globally.
“I am sure there will be numerous encounters over coming days that will lead to valuable new links and discoveries of common interest, resulting in ideas and partnerships that may not have been thought of when you came here. What happens here in the days ahead will ripple from Hambantota to Colombo later this week, and also to all corners of the globe.”
Ellie Seckold, co-Chair of the Forum’s Youth Led Taskforce said: “We’re a Commonwealth family and we must look after each other as we look after ourselves. You will make lasting friendships and networks here. Keep those friendships tight.”
Hambantota to the fore
The selection of Hambantota to hold the Youth Forum and kick off the week-long celebration of the Commonwealth including the hosting of the CHOGM on Friday in Colombo, isn’t just a coincidence but a well-planned and strategic decision.
Ever since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office, the Government has consistently and cohesively focused on invigorating this strategic town in the deep south.
Whilst Hambantota being close to the ruling regime’s heart and soul is one reason, its potential as a hub for the Southern Province and several others nearby could be another. The latter has been endorsed by the private sector as well. There are around four million people in the three provinces within one hour’s distance from Hambantota. Once developed fully, the Government and the private sector expects a halt to urban migration from these four provinces.
Hambantota District’s development thrust is championed by youthful MP Namal Rajapaksa and playing host to hundreds of young people from the Commonwealth must have been momentous.
Emphatic thrust
Many political analysts note that successive governments have either promised to develop the south or endeavoured on a piecemeal basis.
For example a port for Hambantota has been a popular election promise whilst a dedicated development authority for the southern region was also set up.
However, under the ‘Mahinda Chinthana,’ a critic of the Rajapaksa regime would harp on the fact that the south and especially Hambantota has been favoured. But to the credit of the Government, the Hambantota thrust has been emphatic, so much so that it is fast rising as the happening district!
Within a short period, Hambantota has a green-field international sea port (in 2012) and an international airport (March 2013), both identified by the Government as critical to its five hubs strategy for Sri Lanka as well as boosting the entire Southern Province and via it the country as well.
Hambantota is also fast establishing itself as a sports city with the setting up of the Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium. The newly-opened International Conference Hall signals Hambantota’s aspiration to become a conventions city as well.
Plans are afoot to extend the Southern Expressway from Matara-Godagama to Hambantota Harbour via Beliatta, Andarawewa, and Mattala and feasibility studies for the proposed extension have already been completed. The first-ever four-lane 150 metre long flyover built at a cost of Rs. 2.7 billion was also opened recently at the junction of the Ambalantota-Weerawila road.
Unprecedented transformation
Ongoing efforts spearheaded by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) aim to build a modern city and preserving the old town of Hambantota as a tourist and archaeological site. The once neglected district which was home to a fair degree of rebellion is now getting an unprecedented transformation.
Apart from shipping and aviation (and related industries), tourism, recreation, entertainment, along with ICT (a modern Knowledge Park is being developed and recently a PC assembling plant was opened) and sports economy are new thrust sectors in Hambantota.
Independent analysts have stressed that the true economic success of Hambantota in the future would depend on how the Government will support some of the traditional sectors such as agriculture, dairy and livestock, in addition to fishery and SMEs in tandem with the multibillion rupee mega push for new economic infrastructure and activities.
The potential of Hambantota and the promise of the Government appear emphatic. Thus far, the Government has delivered, though the real benefits of the true potential of Hambantota are yet to be reaped or seen. But there is direction and commitment and a strong will to make it.
Namal’s vision for Sri Lanka
Being young, famous and also committed, MP Namal Rajapaksa is fully aware of the challenges ahead.
In a well-received speech at the India Today Conclave 2012 held in New Delhi in March that year, MP Rajapaksa perhaps responded to the common criticism locally as well as articulated his vision for Sri Lanka.
“In a functioning democracy, representatives are elected by the vote of the people and for specific terms. Therefore, merely by belonging to a family of politicians, one does not inherit office through succession. One of the common benefits of being a part of a political family, although short-lived, is the comparative ease, perhaps, of being able to receive nomination from a party to contest elections. But the reason I say that this is a short-lived benefit is because although one may win an election the first time around, there is absolutely no guarantee of re-election. The decision lies in the hands of the people,” Namal said.
“As a young person I felt strongly and passionately that as a member of a political family, I could play a useful, important and meaningful role in giving voice to the youth of our country; to revive their dreams, engage in nation building and in healing our fractured land. I want to see the youth of my country rise to rebuild our nation and to strengthen institutions that are essential for democracy, that have become weak as a result of conflict,” he added.
He told the India Today Conclave that Sri Lanka’s dream is to see the youth of the country strive towards excellence in all fields and demand no less than the best from its public service. “This window of opportunity must be seized by our youth to take the country onto a different path; to build a nation that is robust and resilient,” he said.
“We in Sri Lanka are gearing for this century, a century of promise for our new generations. The gratitude we could show our parents and grandparents, for sacrifices made during their lifetimes, is to preserve our heritage, culture, value system and environment,” Namal added.
His personal role both in the development of the deep south and the north as an MP, as well as his Tharunyata Hetak program, have shaped well and inspired the youth and the people especially in the south. The successful hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Forum is certain to encourage the overall long-term effort and enthusiasm to position Hambantota as a hub city and boost its contribution to overall prosperity of Sri Lanka.
