The restoration of democracy in the East despite numerous obstacles and after a lapse of nearly twenty years is a cause for cheer and optimism. The recently concluded elections to the Batticaloa Pradeshiya Sabha and the Provincial Councils of the Eastern Province were a watershed in the contemporary political history of Sri Lanka.

There have been solid gains. Former ‘terrorists’ have joined mainstream democratic politics, dozens of child soldiers have been released, and there has been  renunciation of calls for secession from the mouths of those who not so long ago were attached to these aims.

The East is bountiful but under-explored, under-developed and under-utilized. The rest of the country is now awakening to the economic potential of the East. Currently the province is in urgent need of improvement of its infrastructure facilities and supportive services, which are essential pre -requisites for accelerated development. The Government of Sri Lanka has released a comprehensive three year development plan as part of the Eastern Revival covering:

• Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rebuilding the Capacity of Public institutions.

• Revitalizing Productive Sectors and the Regional Economy e.g. Crop Agriculture

• Improving Economic Infrastructure e.g. Electricity, Roads, Ports

• Strengthening Social Infrastructure and Fostering Social Services e.g. Education, Health

• Development of Human Settlements e.g. Environment, Urban Development, Housing