An innovative participatory development induced involuntary resettlement experience in Sri Lanka
Hewawasam, Thilak
The Government launched Lunawa Environment Improvement & Community Development Project in 2002 with an objective of improving the environment and uplifting the quality of life of people in Lunawa basin in the Colombo Metropolitan Region by alleviating flood, and creating a hygienic and pleasant environment through improvement of storm water drainage systems, with technical assistance of UN-HABITAT. The Government of Sri Lanka adopted a National Involuntary Resettlement Policy (NIRP) in 2001, after the design phase of the project, and thus, the scope of the project was revised incorporating the NIRP principles with the assistance of UN-HABITAT technical inputs and with additional funding of Rs. 600 M (US$ 6.0 M). The project has undertaken several additional tasks and preparatory activities such as development and reaching agreement with all stakeholders on (a) Resettlement Policy Framework; (b) Resettlement Approach and Strategy (c) Participatory and Consultative Resettlement Process; (e) Implementation Guidelines; (f) Resettlement plans; (g) Housing Package; (h) Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation Mechanism (PMEM) (i) Integrated Partnership Development Programme (j) Staff Training and capacity building (k) Review Legal Aspects;(l) Defining PAPs & Eligibility for Compensation; (m) Obtain service of NGO as Partner Organization; and (n) Set up Community Information Center, and (o) Establishing Partnerships with Hosing Finance Agencies.
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