Sri Lanka
The ILO has supported the infrastructure sector in Sri Lanka for a number of
years including support to the Institute for Construction Training and
Development. This led to ASIST AP beginning its involvement in 2003. ASIST AP is
currently working with the Government to develop capacity at the decentralized
level for the sustainable delivery and maintenance of rural roads.
Current Situation on Rural Roads
The lack of access to various services at the rural level has been an issue
basically due to poor upgrading and maintenance of existing rural roads. Some
recent studies have revealed that the main transport need in the rural areas in
Sri Lanka is the introduction of an improved system of upgrading and maintenance
of rural roads. The majority of the roads in the road network of Sri Lanka come
under the category of rural roads, which amount to over 65,000 km. The
responsible authority for these roads is the local authority – the Pradeshiya
Sabha (PS). These local government bodies generally are constrained by
inadequate funds for upgrading and maintenance of the rural road network. The
general perception is that gravel roads are constructed through a lower standard
of technology. In the past, most of these roads together with some ‘unregistered
roads were upgraded and maintained by ‘Shramadana’ (labour donation)
organized by local NGOs and CBOs.
Scope of Current Support
The programme is in its earliest stages but a small number of interlinked
activities are underway.
- In April and May 2004 a training programme on
practical skills for labour-based road works was held in Colombo and
Monaragala. This was for PSs together with local contractors and was paid
for by a World Bank PHRD grant. Further training may be done as part of a
Ministry of Samurdhi World Bank Project.
- In August 2004 with support from ASIST AP
consultants, the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG), part of
the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, completed a
Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of the decentralized government agencies
responsible for rural road infrastructure. Funding was from the ILO
country programme.
- The TNA also looked at SLILG’s own training
needs in respect of its mandate of providing technical support to the
decentralized agencies. The TNA was completed in 2004. Training materials
for labour-based road rehabilitation and maintenance are now being
prepared by local consultants and training of trainers will be undertaken
shortly.
- The World Bank has asked ILO ASIST AP for
support in the preparation of the rural roads component of a major road
sector project. The TNA links into this process and will be used as the
basis for formulating technical assistance under the project.
- In line with the ILO’s commitment to post
conflict reconstruction and as part of the 4R Transition Programme in the
North and East, ILO ASIST AP will implement demonstration and training
programmes on a labour based road rehabilitation project in Kilinocchi
undertaken by UNDP and WFP.
Lire
- Training
Needs Assessment for Rural Roads Construction and Maintenance -
PDF 493 Kb
June 2004
|
