These days, there is much talk about struggles. Compared to the past however, modern ‘struggles’ appear more meaningful and creative, and promote a peaceful and harmonious community movement. There are many communities which are in eternal life-struggles, with their lives and livelihoods disrupted. If the struggle is meaningful, the result would also be fruitful. This is a story of two such communities that have risen up in a remarkable kind of struggle that transcends beyond traditional methods of hoisting placards on the roadside, and are destined be the subject of more conversation in future.
They are a group of micro and small entrepreneur communities in Sri Lanka, whose livelihoods have been challenged by large-scale infrastructure projects.
“At present, many large-scale projects are being launched in our country. All these projects provide hope for better opportunities and outcomes for the people of the country. For example, highways, or major irrigation projects. These are the needs of a country where certain sections of the population have pinned their hopes. But there are practical issues arising out of such projects that requires further consideration. Specially those problems that undermine and adversely impact the sources of livelihoods for the affected local communities. These issues need to be addressed”. Samantha Abeywickrema, Consultant at the Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Industries (COSMI), told us about the background of this pioneering pilot initiative. Abeywickrema, with decades of experience in the small and medium-scale industry in this country, elaborated thus.
“Environmental impact is also vital. These projects sometimes disturb the ecological balance of the local area, affecting not only humans but also damage local ecosystems and the local wildlife. These impacts are directly experienced as the long-term consequences of unsustainable and ineffective large-scale infrastructure projects”.
“Such large-scale projects are often financed directly by the treasury or loans by foreign or local lenders. But the ultimate financier for these projects is the general Public. Therefore, in view of the transparency of the process involved in the implementation of these large-scale projects, a program is being prepared for those affected communities” he explained.
The template for this pilot initiative was developed by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). “They supported this pilot initiative and provided the necessary resources and tools to proceed, in collaboration with Verité Research as the knowledge partner.” Abeywickrema said.
With guidance from CIPE and Verité Research, two pilot projects are being implemented by COSMI; one in Anuradhapura in Rajarata and other in the southern province in Hambantota. COSMI’s regional partners, the North Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture (NCPCCIA) and the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) are working with the local communities.
The Southern Expressway is currently the largest large-scale infrastructure project currently underway in the Southern Province. This is a flagship project that has raised hopes for the entire country. Today, while some people are enjoying the benefits of this project, others have had their livelihoods challenged. The local ‘Kalu Dodol’ business community in Hambantota, known to people from all corners of the country, is one such affected community.
The ‘Kalu dodol’ community has been existing for generations, serving pilgrims and tourists arriving at Kataragama and the deep south. This rural home-based industry is vulnerable today because the travelers bypass the usual route thanks to the expressway. The southern expressway has also become a tragedy to the ornamental pottery industry in the area.
The other community targeted under this pilot project is based in Anuradhapura. The Haritha Suwa farmer community is a largely women-led group of organic farmers whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the large-scale tank rehabilitation project called the ‘Wewgam Pubuduwa’.
The ultimate outcome sought by both communities is the restoration of their livelihoods. For the ‘Kalu Dodol’ community in the South, the biggest challenge is to get back into the business and attract their usual customer base. They are currently requesting for a location near the entrance to the Southern Expressway to run their business activities.
In Anuradhapura, Haritha Suwa farmers who lost their livelihoods due to ‘Wewgam Pubuduwa’ face the challenge of establishing a permanent marketplace to sell their organic crops.
The first step in empowering both groups is to create and strengthen a collective that represents the community. The Hambantota Kalu Dodol Entrepreneurs Welfare Association and Haritha Suwa Farmers Association have been formalized to this effect and reinforced via membership with the local business chambers and with COSMI.
Both organisations share one common aim under the strategic engagement framework by CIPE.
“As I said earlier, we are looking at the impact of this project on the livelihoods of the community concerned, as well as the environment and financial transparency. We have planned six basic steps for that.” says Abeywickrema.
“Obtaining sensitive information related to the project using the Right to Information Act is the first step. Because the public money is being spent on this project — even if is financed via a foreign loan, the public must pay it off ultimately. Gaining access to vital information empowers us to facilitate a dialogue with both parties.
“The second step is to educate and engage the public in this regard. For this purpose, two community societies have been established in both areas. The people have joined hands around it.” he added.
The third step is to build community awareness about the project. One way of doing that is to organize and educate the community, especially through social media networks such as WhatsApp. This enables the community to be constantly informed.
“The fourth step is connecting to the facilitate market access via the creation dedicated web-based platforms for the local communities. Internet-related solutions can help them to promote their businesses and voice their concerns.”
“The fifth step is parliamentary access. The Members of Parliament in these areas are the elected representatives of the people. Through them, we are already implementing a plan and program to take this issue to Parliament. Our aim is to find solutions for the communities concerned issues, such as a private member bills submitted to Parliament”.
“The sixth solution is a litigation strategy. If these crises and proper answers are not forthcoming from the relevant government agencies or through the people’s representatives, we address the local communities with the legal system. COSMI facilitated legal support to obtain the necessary relief through our project.”
In fact, this project, which is organized by the people is more revolutionary than the traditional struggles communities in the face of large-scale projects. They demonstrate a meaningful movement that can overcome the struggle, as well as forge the path to change that is usually intertwined with large-scale projects. The two successfully running pilot projects will be testaments to that, and we will soon see their results. The successful outcome of these initiatives is sure to lead to a remarkable kind of struggle in the future, for the communities who are ill-effected by large-scale infrastructure projects.