I thought the article, ‘Community rights and foreign direct investment’ (http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/34803) was well written and informative. I am indeed impressed by the way the author brings out his point. However, recently, I met a very senior member, as in authority; of the Yala community and he had a totally different viewpoint to yours. The gist of his argument was that for once, the communities around Yala Swamp will earn income, either from employment at Dominion or those spinning from the support tree trickling down from Dominion.

In fact he was positive that many members of the community would have not changed from their current economic activities 100 years from now - several generations hence. This man is about 67 years old and he asserts that nothing has changed for the better since his childhood!

Well, I have not been able to visit the Yala Swamp. Judging from the two arguments, I have a feeling that somebody, somewhere, is letting the Yala community down.

What is your comment when one looks at the bigger picture in respect of Yala? I believe each international project has unique features and alternative approaches.