Conflict is breeding uncertainty. Post-tsunami projects in the east and north of Sri Lanka are slowing down as the ethnic tension in the regions rise. December was a particularly violent month in the country’s long-standing conflict – despite the standing 2002 ceasefire – and January isn’t heading in a good direction. It’s all making many people nervous.
Several organizations are taking a wait-and-see approach but proceeding with caution. Some are postponing their travel into areas with increased tensions which obviously affects progress on many projects.
The tragedy of the situation is that people are being victimized again. The tsunami destroyed homes, lives and ways of work and now, one year later, communities are experiencing a new threat. The country’s post-tsunami economic recovery, particularly in areas like tourism, will be affected by increased conflict at a time when the country needs it the most. A Reuters article quotes a researcher as saying that a return to war won’t “cripple the economy…it’s going to hamstring the economy” with 4.5-5.0% growth which would be down at least 2% from current projections.
Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
Posted by: DrPolitics | January 14, 2006 at 01:56 PM