Nearly 125 Sinhalese families, who had been chased away by the LTTE from Kokilai and Kalkudah in 1990, and are insisting that they be allowed to return to their original places of residence. They are to meet the North East Development Task Force Chairman Basil Rajapaksa MP next week, to discuss the matter.
A spokesman from Caritas Sri Lanka, the social service arm of the Catholic Church, told Daily Mirror that its officers had visited these families, following a directive from Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith and had arranged the meeting with Mr. Basil Rajapaksa to discuss the matter.
According to sources, these families are scattered currently, and are living in Negombo, Kurunegala, Kalutara and Maggona.
These families had been chased out by the LTTE on July 6, 1990.They had told Caritas officials that some of their people were killed by the LTTE while the others managed to escape. They had originally been sent to Trincomalee on the boat Suraya Weeraya and then to Polonnaruwa, after one week. These IDPs had been stuck in the Trincomalee for one week.
They have been engaging in various jobs, including fisheries and agriculture. But now they have lost all these jobs.
According to Caritas, around 20 families of this group had gone to Kalkudah recently on a visit and found their houses completely destroyed. It was reported that they still have the deeds for their property and other documents, which are written in Tamil.
Source:
DailyMirror Online, 11 November 2009
By Yohan Perera
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
focefully Resettled in Welika Kandy
there are 600 families were displaced in Welika kandy in 2007 and only 32 familes have been brought to the welika Kandy 18th June 2009.others have been settled in different villages close to this area.these affected people are still living in temporary shelters,before the come to the shelters they lived in the Welika Kandy school. there are 32 families in this village. I.C.R.C have provided roof materials for their shelters they don't have any infrastructures facilities, don't have a toilet. school going children are in the hostel. the parent got the permission for the hostel (accommodation) through church priest. still the affected people are unable to do anything for their livelihood so they are stuck . also this village people are affected by Elephants.these people a month ago being sold the firewood from the forest but now they are unable to do even this work.now If I want to do this work they have to get the permit form D.S office, they charged 500 rupees per permit but this affected people don't have a such a amount to pay so now they are deep in trouble.the government promised to provide corns, paddy seeds, Goats,etc.. but nothing given. they are totally disappointed. if they want to go the town they have to travel 32km from this village. they said they don't have even a bicycle so they reguest us , if possible , please provide some bicycles. they said they can do some work through that it will help their livelihood too.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rains in Sri Lanka, once a blessing, now a curse
Column: Burning Points, UPI Asia Online
HONG KONG, China, October 16, 2009
The people of Sri Lanka have always looked forward to the rainy season, which generally begins in October and ends in January, as it brings many blessings. It brings much needed water to the paddy fields and assures food for the year to come. It also fills the reservoirs. Many of the blessings for the year ahead also depend on rains from the heavens.
However, for the nearly 300,000 people in camps for internally displaced persons, the expectation of rain this year will not create such feelings of joy. In fact, for them it will bring enormous adversity. Leaking roofs, overflowing gutters and swamp-like conditions are what they will have to expect. Their relatives living outside, the people of goodwill in the country, as well as the United Nations and various relief agencies have already brought their problems to the attention of the government and the public. However, the government has a greater consideration that outweighs the concerns for the comfort of these persons.
The government spokesmen tell the world in their televised interviews that there still might be Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorists hidden in the midst of the internally displaced persons. Therefore, whether there is rain or not, the people will have to remain in the camps until all potential LTTE members are identified, the spokesmen say.
So, the government argues that, when compared to the risk to national security, the sufferings that internally displaced persons may have to undergo during the rainy season are matters of secondary importance. The government spokesmen using this language are not actors in a drama produced by Bertolt Brecht, the German poet, playwright and theatre director, who used such characters only to expose the hypocrisy and inhumanity of the national security doctrines that prevailed in his time.
The government spokesmen are dead serious and want the nation and the international community to believe their argument of the good intentions of a government which is supposed to be sorry for the people living in pathetic and wretched living conditions but which is unable to do anything due to the overpowering considerations of national security.
For centuries, even the poorest people in Sri Lanka had learned to put up safe roofs over their heads when the rainy season arrived. They had learned to live comfortably with warm cups of tea and homes arranged with their modest means while the rains poured outside. But now, even that minimal way of life has been deprived to a large group of citizens who live in the camps for the internally displaced persons.
This tragic drama enacted amidst the wind and rain reflects not just the tragedy of people in those camps, but also the tragedy of all people living under a political system that dares to lie as an excuse for whatever it wishes to do, despite the harsh consequences its actions may bring on the nation. As Brecht once pointed, messages made by irresponsible persons and received through antennas by the people can create wretched conditions.
Another sad aspect of this situation is there are no avenues that the justice system of Sri Lanka can offer the large number of people to make a complaint about the suffering they will experience in the rainy season. The lawyers and judges in the country have boasted of public interest litigation and the like, but what kind of public interest initiative exists in a country where people cannot even find relief to escape the rain?
--
(Basil Fernando is director of the Asian Human Rights Commission based in Hong Kong. He is a Sri Lankan lawyer who has also been a senior U.N. human rights officer in Cambodia. He has published several books and written extensively on human rights issues in Asia. His blog can be read at http://srilanka-lawlessness.com.)
Source from:
http://www.upiasia.com/Human_Rights/2009/10/16/rains_in_sri_lanka_once_a_blessing_now_a_curse/9069/
-----------------------------
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367
HONG KONG, China, October 16, 2009
The people of Sri Lanka have always looked forward to the rainy season, which generally begins in October and ends in January, as it brings many blessings. It brings much needed water to the paddy fields and assures food for the year to come. It also fills the reservoirs. Many of the blessings for the year ahead also depend on rains from the heavens.
However, for the nearly 300,000 people in camps for internally displaced persons, the expectation of rain this year will not create such feelings of joy. In fact, for them it will bring enormous adversity. Leaking roofs, overflowing gutters and swamp-like conditions are what they will have to expect. Their relatives living outside, the people of goodwill in the country, as well as the United Nations and various relief agencies have already brought their problems to the attention of the government and the public. However, the government has a greater consideration that outweighs the concerns for the comfort of these persons.
The government spokesmen tell the world in their televised interviews that there still might be Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorists hidden in the midst of the internally displaced persons. Therefore, whether there is rain or not, the people will have to remain in the camps until all potential LTTE members are identified, the spokesmen say.
So, the government argues that, when compared to the risk to national security, the sufferings that internally displaced persons may have to undergo during the rainy season are matters of secondary importance. The government spokesmen using this language are not actors in a drama produced by Bertolt Brecht, the German poet, playwright and theatre director, who used such characters only to expose the hypocrisy and inhumanity of the national security doctrines that prevailed in his time.
The government spokesmen are dead serious and want the nation and the international community to believe their argument of the good intentions of a government which is supposed to be sorry for the people living in pathetic and wretched living conditions but which is unable to do anything due to the overpowering considerations of national security.
For centuries, even the poorest people in Sri Lanka had learned to put up safe roofs over their heads when the rainy season arrived. They had learned to live comfortably with warm cups of tea and homes arranged with their modest means while the rains poured outside. But now, even that minimal way of life has been deprived to a large group of citizens who live in the camps for the internally displaced persons.
This tragic drama enacted amidst the wind and rain reflects not just the tragedy of people in those camps, but also the tragedy of all people living under a political system that dares to lie as an excuse for whatever it wishes to do, despite the harsh consequences its actions may bring on the nation. As Brecht once pointed, messages made by irresponsible persons and received through antennas by the people can create wretched conditions.
Another sad aspect of this situation is there are no avenues that the justice system of Sri Lanka can offer the large number of people to make a complaint about the suffering they will experience in the rainy season. The lawyers and judges in the country have boasted of public interest litigation and the like, but what kind of public interest initiative exists in a country where people cannot even find relief to escape the rain?
--
(Basil Fernando is director of the Asian Human Rights Commission based in Hong Kong. He is a Sri Lankan lawyer who has also been a senior U.N. human rights officer in Cambodia. He has published several books and written extensively on human rights issues in Asia. His blog can be read at http://srilanka-lawlessness.com.)
Source from:
http://www.upiasia.com/Human_Rights/2009/10/16/rains_in_sri_lanka_once_a_blessing_now_a_curse/9069/
-----------------------------
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Great Land Grab: Rush for World's Farmland Threatens Food Security for the Poor
Oakland CA: As experts on food and agriculture come together in Rome on October 12, 2009 to discuss the challenge of feeding the world by 2050, a new report from the Oakland Institute, The Great Land Grab: Rush for World's Farmland Threatens Food Security for the Poor, sounds the alarm on the threat that land grabbing poses to food security and livelihoods. Land grabs--the purchase of vast tracts of land from poor, developing countries by wealthier, food-insecure nations and private investors--have become a widespread phenomenon, with foreign interests seeking or securing between 37 million and 49 million acres of farmland between 2006 and the middle of 2009. While such land grabs have not gone unnoticed, much attention has focused on individual countries, such as China and Saudi Arabia, buying land in poor nations. The Great Land Grab lays bare the insidious role played by international financial institutions like the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), as well as rich nations, in promoting and facilitating this widespread land reappropriation--all in the name of promoting food security through foreign investment in agriculture. The report concludes that the current debate surrounding the land grab phenomenon fails to adequately and rigorously examine the consequences of this trend, and exposes how the huge sell-offs of resources undermines food security and land reform efforts. The authors implore that we question the assumption that increased investment in agriculture is beneficial for all parties involved.
"The history of foreign direct investment in agriculture reveals the plethora of social and economic problems that have plagued local citizens and belies the claims that the current land acquisitions will positively impact the development of poor nations," said Shepard Daniel, fellow at the Oakland Institute and lead author of the report. "Throughout history, corporate agribusiness has been known to establish itself in developing countries with the effect of either driving independent farmers off their land or turning farmers into plantation workers. No matter how convincing the claim that these massive international acquisitions will bring much-needed agricultural investment to poor countries, evidence shows there is simply no place for the small farmer in the vast majority of these land grab situations that will only increase monoculture-based, export-oriented agriculture, further jeopardizing international food security," she continued.
"Our report dismantles the myth of the 'win-win' argument that has been offered to quell concerns around this trend. A myopic focus on potential benefits, such as increased investment in agriculture in poor countries, is sidelining the issue of food security for the world's poor and land reform from the forefront of the debate," said Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute and co-author of the report. "Food security and the implementation of land reform policies are inextricably linked. There are 1.5 billion small-scale farmers in the world who live on less than 2 hectares of land; secure and equitable access to and control over land allows these farmers to produce food, which is vital for their own food security as well as that of rural populations throughout the developing world," she continued.
The Great Land Grab critically examines the role of the private sector in agricultural development and exposes implications of private sector control over food resources. The report concludes that those who promote the benefits of private sector growth in agriculture fail to recognize that acquisition of crucial food-producing lands by foreign private entities poses a threat to rural economies and livelihoods, land reform agendas, and other efforts aimed at making access to food more equitable. "Much press coverage and research has focused on the food security motivations of food import-dependent countries," said Daniel. "We forget, however, that the main thrust of investment is coming from the private sector, whose interests do not lie in establishing food security, but rather in making a profit in international food markets."
An estimated 1.02 billion people-one sixth of humanity-suffer from chronic hunger, and, in one of the world's cruelest ironies, 70 percent of this starving population live and work on small-scale farms and in rural areas. To tackle the growing crisis of world hunger, policy makers and agriculture experts will gather at the World Food Summit in November 2009; preparation for the summit is revolving around increased investment in agriculture. However, as The Great Land Grab points out, there is a dangerous disconnect between increasing agricultural investment through rich countries amassing land in poor countries and the goal of secure and adequate food supplies for poor and vulnerable populations.
Source from: Oakland Institute
"The history of foreign direct investment in agriculture reveals the plethora of social and economic problems that have plagued local citizens and belies the claims that the current land acquisitions will positively impact the development of poor nations," said Shepard Daniel, fellow at the Oakland Institute and lead author of the report. "Throughout history, corporate agribusiness has been known to establish itself in developing countries with the effect of either driving independent farmers off their land or turning farmers into plantation workers. No matter how convincing the claim that these massive international acquisitions will bring much-needed agricultural investment to poor countries, evidence shows there is simply no place for the small farmer in the vast majority of these land grab situations that will only increase monoculture-based, export-oriented agriculture, further jeopardizing international food security," she continued.
"Our report dismantles the myth of the 'win-win' argument that has been offered to quell concerns around this trend. A myopic focus on potential benefits, such as increased investment in agriculture in poor countries, is sidelining the issue of food security for the world's poor and land reform from the forefront of the debate," said Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute and co-author of the report. "Food security and the implementation of land reform policies are inextricably linked. There are 1.5 billion small-scale farmers in the world who live on less than 2 hectares of land; secure and equitable access to and control over land allows these farmers to produce food, which is vital for their own food security as well as that of rural populations throughout the developing world," she continued.
The Great Land Grab critically examines the role of the private sector in agricultural development and exposes implications of private sector control over food resources. The report concludes that those who promote the benefits of private sector growth in agriculture fail to recognize that acquisition of crucial food-producing lands by foreign private entities poses a threat to rural economies and livelihoods, land reform agendas, and other efforts aimed at making access to food more equitable. "Much press coverage and research has focused on the food security motivations of food import-dependent countries," said Daniel. "We forget, however, that the main thrust of investment is coming from the private sector, whose interests do not lie in establishing food security, but rather in making a profit in international food markets."
An estimated 1.02 billion people-one sixth of humanity-suffer from chronic hunger, and, in one of the world's cruelest ironies, 70 percent of this starving population live and work on small-scale farms and in rural areas. To tackle the growing crisis of world hunger, policy makers and agriculture experts will gather at the World Food Summit in November 2009; preparation for the summit is revolving around increased investment in agriculture. However, as The Great Land Grab points out, there is a dangerous disconnect between increasing agricultural investment through rich countries amassing land in poor countries and the goal of secure and adequate food supplies for poor and vulnerable populations.
Source from: Oakland Institute
Solution for Drinking Water
Praja Abhilasha Network provided Tubewells to Karadiyanaru village in Batticaloa. now there are 36 families are derectly getting benefits.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A New Report Exposes the Role of International Financial Institutions in the Expansion of Land Grabs
The Great Land Grab: Rush for World's Farmland Threatens Food Security for the Poor
Oakland CA: As experts on food and agriculture come together in Rome on October 12, 2009 to discuss the challenge of feeding the world by 2050, a new report from the Oakland Institute, The Great Land Grab: Rush for World's Farmland Threatens Food Security for the Poor, sounds the alarm on the threat that land grabbing poses to food security and livelihoods. Land grabs--the purchase of vast tracts of land from poor, developing countries by wealthier, food-insecure nations and private investors--have become a widespread phenomenon, with foreign interests seeking or securing between 37 million and 49 million acres of farmland between 2006 and the middle of 2009. While such land grabs have not gone unnoticed, much attention has focused on individual countries, such as China and Saudi Arabia, buying land in poor nations. The Great Land Grab lays bare the insidious role played by international financial institutions like the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), as well as rich nations, in promoting and facilitating this widespread land reappropriation--all in the name of promoting food security through foreign investment in agriculture. The report concludes that the current debate surrounding the land grab phenomenon fails to adequately and rigorously examine the consequences of this trend, and exposes how the huge sell-offs of resources undermines food security and land reform efforts. The authors implore that we question the assumption that increased investment in agriculture is beneficial for all parties involved.
"The history of foreign direct investment in agriculture reveals the plethora of social and economic problems that have plagued local citizens and belies the claims that the current land acquisitions will positively impact the development of poor nations," said Shepard Daniel, fellow at the Oakland Institute and lead author of the report. "Throughout history, corporate agribusiness has been known to establish itself in developing countries with the effect of either driving independent farmers off their land or turning farmers into plantation workers. No matter how convincing the claim that these massive international acquisitions will bring much-needed agricultural investment to poor countries, evidence shows there is simply no place for the small farmer in the vast majority of these land grab situations that will only increase monoculture-based, export-oriented agriculture, further jeopardizing international food security," she continued.
"Our report dismantles the myth of the 'win-win' argument that has been offered to quell concerns around this trend. A myopic focus on potential benefits, such as increased investment in agriculture in poor countries, is sidelining the issue of food security for the world's poor and land reform from the forefront of the debate," said Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute and co-author of the report. "Food security and the implementation of land reform policies are inextricably linked. There are 1.5 billion small-scale farmers in the world who live on less than 2 hectares of land; secure and equitable access to and control over land allows these farmers to produce food, which is vital for their own food security as well as that of rural populations throughout the developing world," she continued.
The Great Land Grab critically examines the role of the private sector in agricultural development and exposes implications of private sector control over food resources. The report concludes that those who promote the benefits of private sector growth in agriculture fail to recognize that acquisition of crucial food-producing lands by foreign private entities poses a threat to rural economies and livelihoods, land reform agendas, and other efforts aimed at making access to food more equitable. "Much press coverage and research has focused on the food security motivations of food import-dependent countries," said Daniel. "We forget, however, that the main thrust of investment is coming from the private sector, whose interests do not lie in establishing food security, but rather in making a profit in international food markets."
An estimated 1.02 billion people-one sixth of humanity-suffer from chronic hunger, and, in one of the world's cruelest ironies, 70 percent of this starving population live and work on small-scale farms and in rural areas. To tackle the growing crisis of world hunger, policy makers and agriculture experts will gather at the World Food Summit in November 2009; preparation for the summit is revolving around increased investment in agriculture. However, as The Great Land Grab points out, there is a dangerous disconnect between increasing agricultural investment through rich countries amassing land in poor countries and the goal of secure and adequate food supplies for poor and vulnerable populations.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Draught from Tissa to Yala Abebumiya in Sri Lanka
wild animals have been affected by the draught in Hambantota District. click on the picture to read full story.
Source: Divaina Dated 13-09-2009.
"The ownership of Land should be considered as a fundamental right"
LET US AGREE & JOIN HANDS
"The ownership of Land should be considered as a fundamental right"
According to the Survey report of the land issues in the 18 districts by the “Praja Abhilasha” and People to People Dialogue on Peace and Sustainable Development Networks were understood that there should be a solution for the problems on those affected by Tsunami, those affected and displaced by the war which lasted for 25 years, those affected and displaced by other natural disasters such as earth slips, cyclone and flood, those persons displaced due to animals such as elephant living in their natural habitat and people displaced as they have no deeds for their land (Exp – those in the Estate sector have no deeds though they have been living there over 180 years).
Apart from these issues, there are those displaced as a result of Land given to Multinational Companies, land taken over by the government for security reasons and not giving other lands as compensation, those affected by the houses given by the National Housing authority as deed were not given hence there must be special policy changes in order to solve these problem.The Praja Abhilasha and PPD Networks proposes following to solve the issues:
01. A National Land Commission should be established.
02. A National Land Policy should be established and necessary actions should be taken.
03. The ownership of land should be considered as a fundamental right in the constitution and should be legalized.
04. There should be legal changes on land established by the legislature.
Let us consider the above demands and suggest the government to take immediate action.
We would be thankful, if you contribute your co-operation for this campaign. We invite for an Open Discussion with the NGOs, CBO,CSO,Government Agencies for this matter. Your contributions are appreciated.
Thanks.
F.Raajan
Secretary& Local Coordinator
Praja Abhilasha Network
Monday, July 20, 2009
Govt. to remove 30 newly constructed bridges on Sri Lanka southern highway
Sri Lanka government has decided to remove 30 newly constructed bridges on the Southern Expressway and to construct new ones, said Minister of Highways, T.B Ekanayaka.
Minister Ekanayaka said survey conducted by a group of Moratuwa University has revealed that 40% of the bridges along the Southern Expressway have failed to meet the proper standards.
The cost for replacing the new bridges on the Expressway should be borne by the constructors, he added.
The survey was conducted after the tragic death of a youth at Poddala in Galle due to the collapse of a new bridge on the expressway in May.
Preliminary investigations into the incident have revealed that it was due to the negligence of the contractor, Kumagai Gumi Co Ltd.
According to the Ministry there are 73 bridges on the Southern Expressway.
Source: Lanka-e-News 17.July.2009 2.00PM)
Minister Ekanayaka said survey conducted by a group of Moratuwa University has revealed that 40% of the bridges along the Southern Expressway have failed to meet the proper standards.
The cost for replacing the new bridges on the Expressway should be borne by the constructors, he added.
The survey was conducted after the tragic death of a youth at Poddala in Galle due to the collapse of a new bridge on the expressway in May.
Preliminary investigations into the incident have revealed that it was due to the negligence of the contractor, Kumagai Gumi Co Ltd.
According to the Ministry there are 73 bridges on the Southern Expressway.
Source: Lanka-e-News 17.July.2009 2.00PM)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
In the name of rehabilitation, displaced people are transferred to other camps.
A portion of the displaced people from Trincomalee were sheltered in Batticaloa camps, had been transferred to Kilivetti internment camps.
According to this arrangement, 122 persons from 37 families who had been sheltered in the second Sri Lankan Camp located at Sathurukondan, Batticaloa were sent by six Sri Lanka transport buses was according to information received from news reporters.
The native place of the displaced persons was Samboor, Trincomalee, but without rehabilitating them in their desired birth places, they are transferred to such internment camps, which have created massive inconveniences to the displaced persons was stated.
Source: [Wednesday, 15 July 2009,]Lanka
According to this arrangement, 122 persons from 37 families who had been sheltered in the second Sri Lankan Camp located at Sathurukondan, Batticaloa were sent by six Sri Lanka transport buses was according to information received from news reporters.
The native place of the displaced persons was Samboor, Trincomalee, but without rehabilitating them in their desired birth places, they are transferred to such internment camps, which have created massive inconveniences to the displaced persons was stated.
Source: [Wednesday, 15 July 2009,]Lanka
Lanka's largest economic centre coming up in Omanthai
The government has decided to set up Sri Lanka's largest economic centre in Omanthai.
The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Bandula Gunawardena said that the centre would act as a hub to exchange agricultural produce and other goods between the north and the south. “The Centre will be set up on a 20-acre land and will be planned out by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau,” the Minister said.
It would be complete with storage, packing and refrigeration facilities, he said. Once the railway lines are constructed, transport costs could be further reduced, Minister Gunawardena observed
The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Bandula Gunawardena said that the centre would act as a hub to exchange agricultural produce and other goods between the north and the south. “The Centre will be set up on a 20-acre land and will be planned out by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau,” the Minister said.
It would be complete with storage, packing and refrigeration facilities, he said. Once the railway lines are constructed, transport costs could be further reduced, Minister Gunawardena observed
Thenmarachchi people insist for rehabilitation.
The displaced people in Thenmarachchi areas, during the year 1999 confrontations, request for rehabilitation. In this connection, an appeal letter has been forwarded by them to Sri Lanka government Officers and International Humanitarian Organization Administrative officers.
The displaced people has alleged, even though landmines are excavated in their villages, the defense sector is not granting them for rehabilitation in their native villages. 170 families from Thanankilappu, 150 families from Maravanprua and Kaithadi and Nawatkuli 250 families were displaced during the year 1999. Out of this, 35 families from Karavanpura and 200 families from Kaithadi had been rehabilitated.
According to speculation, the forces have forcibily taken over 5000 acres of land which produces half portion of paddy in Jaffna. Meanwhile, due to the closure of Thanankilappu roadway at Nunavil, people are spending more time for their travelling was stated.
Source : Lanka
The displaced people has alleged, even though landmines are excavated in their villages, the defense sector is not granting them for rehabilitation in their native villages. 170 families from Thanankilappu, 150 families from Maravanprua and Kaithadi and Nawatkuli 250 families were displaced during the year 1999. Out of this, 35 families from Karavanpura and 200 families from Kaithadi had been rehabilitated.
According to speculation, the forces have forcibily taken over 5000 acres of land which produces half portion of paddy in Jaffna. Meanwhile, due to the closure of Thanankilappu roadway at Nunavil, people are spending more time for their travelling was stated.
Source : Lanka
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Another mass meeting of peasants was organised in Lahore Benghali Military Farms today on 29 March at Jallo Park. Over 700 attended the peasant convention organised by Anjman Mozareen Punjab. This was the largest meeting of peasants in the area for years.
They demanded the ownership of the land they are cultivating for over 100 years. At present, the land is occupied by the Military Farms administration.
The peasants came to the convention raising red flags and slogans for ownership. They came on their tractor and trolies. The convention was addressed by the leaders of AMP, some of them came from other districts. Also Labour Party Pakistan leaders spoke and expressed their solidarity and total support for the ownership campaign.
Mehr Abdul Sattar, general secretary AMP, Nadeem Ashraf of Renalkhurd, Shabir Choudry of Depalpur AMP, Abdul Ghafar of Kulyana Military Estate, Mian Ashraf and Mohammed Hanif of AMP Lahore and several other peasant leaders addressed the gathering and declared that the campaign will continue till it meet the success and peasants become the ownership of the land.
Labour Party Pakistan women secretary Nazli Javed, Maqsood Mujahid member LPP EC and myself spoke at the gathering and expressed their total support for the campaign.
This was the fourth large gathering of peasants during the last two months. Earlier such peasant conventions were held at Renalkhurd, Depal Pur and Kulyana Estate where over 10000 have already participated. They are demanding from PPP government to fulfill their promise of granting land ownership rights. Benazir Bhutto promised the peasants in writting that PPP will hand over this state land to the peasants when it will come to power.
Over 68000 acres of land in different districts of Punjab is been occupied by Military Farms administration. The land is been main cultivated by tenants who had been promised by successive governments to give this land to them but failed to implement it.
AMP was the first peasant organisation to offer resistence to Musharaf dictatorship when they tried to evacuate them by deception. The AMP launched a movement unprecedented in Pakistan history during 2002, 2003. This led to the arrests, false cases, killings and injuring of many during the resistence. The women played an important role.
The AMP has decided to re launch the movement of land ownership.
On 17-18 April 2009, a two days peasant conference will take place in Okara Military Farms. It is expected that over 20,000 will attend the mass rally on 17 April.
Today, I warned the Zardari government of another long march b y workers and peasants if the demand for land ownership is not accepted till the end of April this year. I also asked the chief justice to take a sue motto notice of the situation.
We demanded from Nawaz Sharif that the land belong to Punjab government and it must decide for land ownership of the tenants.
A revolutionary wave is erupting among the Mozareen of Punjab at present. It will lead to another round of mass resistence to the present government on a class issue this time,
Report by: Farooq Tariq
They demanded the ownership of the land they are cultivating for over 100 years. At present, the land is occupied by the Military Farms administration.
The peasants came to the convention raising red flags and slogans for ownership. They came on their tractor and trolies. The convention was addressed by the leaders of AMP, some of them came from other districts. Also Labour Party Pakistan leaders spoke and expressed their solidarity and total support for the ownership campaign.
Mehr Abdul Sattar, general secretary AMP, Nadeem Ashraf of Renalkhurd, Shabir Choudry of Depalpur AMP, Abdul Ghafar of Kulyana Military Estate, Mian Ashraf and Mohammed Hanif of AMP Lahore and several other peasant leaders addressed the gathering and declared that the campaign will continue till it meet the success and peasants become the ownership of the land.
Labour Party Pakistan women secretary Nazli Javed, Maqsood Mujahid member LPP EC and myself spoke at the gathering and expressed their total support for the campaign.
This was the fourth large gathering of peasants during the last two months. Earlier such peasant conventions were held at Renalkhurd, Depal Pur and Kulyana Estate where over 10000 have already participated. They are demanding from PPP government to fulfill their promise of granting land ownership rights. Benazir Bhutto promised the peasants in writting that PPP will hand over this state land to the peasants when it will come to power.
Over 68000 acres of land in different districts of Punjab is been occupied by Military Farms administration. The land is been main cultivated by tenants who had been promised by successive governments to give this land to them but failed to implement it.
AMP was the first peasant organisation to offer resistence to Musharaf dictatorship when they tried to evacuate them by deception. The AMP launched a movement unprecedented in Pakistan history during 2002, 2003. This led to the arrests, false cases, killings and injuring of many during the resistence. The women played an important role.
The AMP has decided to re launch the movement of land ownership.
On 17-18 April 2009, a two days peasant conference will take place in Okara Military Farms. It is expected that over 20,000 will attend the mass rally on 17 April.
Today, I warned the Zardari government of another long march b y workers and peasants if the demand for land ownership is not accepted till the end of April this year. I also asked the chief justice to take a sue motto notice of the situation.
We demanded from Nawaz Sharif that the land belong to Punjab government and it must decide for land ownership of the tenants.
A revolutionary wave is erupting among the Mozareen of Punjab at present. It will lead to another round of mass resistence to the present government on a class issue this time,
Report by: Farooq Tariq
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Land issue to dictate party results - Rights bodies unite to take on industry patrons
Ranchi, April 5: Anti-displacement activists are rolling up their sleeves. It’s time to take on those politicians, who had been pitching for industrialisation at the cost of ancestral and agricultural land.
Over two lakh acres of land in the state are being eyed by prospective investors in steel, power and other sectors. As a result, hundreds are on the verge of losing their land. In such circumstances, anti-displacement organisations have made this issue the central point of their campaign against political parties.
Several of these organisations — Adivasi-Moolvasi Astitva Raksha Manch in Torpa-Kamdara (Khunti and Gumla districts) opposing ArcelorMittal’s proposed Greenfield project, Bhumi Raksha Samiti in Potka (East Singhbhum) objecting to Bhushan Steel’s project and Tontoposhi (Seraikela-Kharsawan) opposing Tata Steel’s projects — have decided to vote for the candidate, who would raise voice against displacement irrespective of his/her win in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Social activist Dayamani Barla, who has been spearheading a fight against ArcelorMittal’s bid to acquire over 12,000 hectares in Torpa-Kamdara, said after a series of meetings with villagers of Potka, Tontoposhi and Khunti, they took this decision.
Dumka-based Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch, a rights group campaigning against displacement, has fielded a candidate against former chief minister Shibu Soren under whose regime the Kathikund police firing incident took place.
Sitting Congress MP from Khunti, Shushila Kerketta, who was denied a ticket, had spoken in favour for ArcelorMittal’s project in Khunti and Gumlas.
Sources said Kerketta lost her grounds apparently due to her open support for the company.
AMIT GUPTA
Source : aid-awareness@lists.aidindia.org
Over two lakh acres of land in the state are being eyed by prospective investors in steel, power and other sectors. As a result, hundreds are on the verge of losing their land. In such circumstances, anti-displacement organisations have made this issue the central point of their campaign against political parties.
Several of these organisations — Adivasi-Moolvasi Astitva Raksha Manch in Torpa-Kamdara (Khunti and Gumla districts) opposing ArcelorMittal’s proposed Greenfield project, Bhumi Raksha Samiti in Potka (East Singhbhum) objecting to Bhushan Steel’s project and Tontoposhi (Seraikela-Kharsawan) opposing Tata Steel’s projects — have decided to vote for the candidate, who would raise voice against displacement irrespective of his/her win in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Social activist Dayamani Barla, who has been spearheading a fight against ArcelorMittal’s bid to acquire over 12,000 hectares in Torpa-Kamdara, said after a series of meetings with villagers of Potka, Tontoposhi and Khunti, they took this decision.
Dumka-based Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch, a rights group campaigning against displacement, has fielded a candidate against former chief minister Shibu Soren under whose regime the Kathikund police firing incident took place.
Sitting Congress MP from Khunti, Shushila Kerketta, who was denied a ticket, had spoken in favour for ArcelorMittal’s project in Khunti and Gumlas.
Sources said Kerketta lost her grounds apparently due to her open support for the company.
AMIT GUPTA
Source : aid-awareness@lists.aidindia.org
Monday, April 20, 2009
70 -years old farmer died by hunger strike
It is to inform you about this very sad news that 70-year old Farmer protesting with his family against influencial land lord of Sanghar died after 20 consecutive days hunger strike infront Karachi Press Club. More than 15 farmers including women and children belonging from village Essa Muhammad Khaskheli Taluka Sanjhoro District Sanghar reached Karachi and started hunger strike infront Karachi Press club some 20 days ago. They were protesting against influencial zamindar named Waryam and his armed men who forced these poor farmers to vacate the 14 Acre land (actually owned by Irrigation Department Government of Sindh). Some 120 households are said to be cultivating and earning from this piece of land for many years. But an influencial Zamindar Waryam and his armed men invaded and occupied on this piece.
On the death of this old farmer Ms: Sharmila Farooqi Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh blamed Human Right Organizations and Media. She said that Human Right Organizations getting millions of dollors why they not came to rescue? Where was media before the death? Why the matter was not brought to their notice by media? However Mr Babar Khan Ghori Minister of Shiping belonging from MQM accepted the responsibility and said that Landlords and Wadaras are taking the law in their own hands on their influence.
We condemn and protest against the silence of Sindh Government and want to ask the Police of Sangher District why they are providing shelter to such influencial landlords like Waryam and Nazir Thakur?
Krishna
Mehergarh
Hyderabad
On the death of this old farmer Ms: Sharmila Farooqi Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh blamed Human Right Organizations and Media. She said that Human Right Organizations getting millions of dollors why they not came to rescue? Where was media before the death? Why the matter was not brought to their notice by media? However Mr Babar Khan Ghori Minister of Shiping belonging from MQM accepted the responsibility and said that Landlords and Wadaras are taking the law in their own hands on their influence.
We condemn and protest against the silence of Sindh Government and want to ask the Police of Sangher District why they are providing shelter to such influencial landlords like Waryam and Nazir Thakur?
Krishna
Mehergarh
Hyderabad
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thousands of peasants to demand for land rights
Anjaman Mozareeen Punjab (Punjab Tenant Association) is organizing a peasant convention in at Sukh Pur Adda Pakpattan Road, tehsil Depalpur, district Okara on 1st March 2009. Thousands of peasants working in Proban abad Army Welfare Trust farms in Depalpur and Pakpattan area will participate in this convention.
The peasants from Military Farms Okara, Renalakhurd and Kalyana Estate will also participate. The main leadership of AMP including Mehr Abdul Sattar, Liaqat Ali, Mian Asharaf, Ashraf Nadeem will speak on the occasion. Farooq Tariq secretary Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Nazli Javed women secretary Labour Party Pakistan will also participate in the convention.
The convention is organized as part of a new campaign for land rights in these agriculture farms owned by different sections of Pakistan army. The movement for land rights started in year 2000 in these areas and despite all the state repression it has continued in very peaceful but militant manner. Earlier on 19 January 2009, a peasant gathering in Renalakhurd organized by AMP attracted over 2000.
There are more such gathering have been planned by AMP. There will be more public meetings; on 10 March at Kalyana Estate Okara, on 29 March at Bengali Farms in Lahore and on 15-16 April a massive peasant conference at Military Farms Okara will take place. It is expected that over 20,000 peasants will participate in Okara peasant conference on the eve of International Day of Peasants.
Report by Aon Sahi
coordinator PKRC
The peasants from Military Farms Okara, Renalakhurd and Kalyana Estate will also participate. The main leadership of AMP including Mehr Abdul Sattar, Liaqat Ali, Mian Asharaf, Ashraf Nadeem will speak on the occasion. Farooq Tariq secretary Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Nazli Javed women secretary Labour Party Pakistan will also participate in the convention.
The convention is organized as part of a new campaign for land rights in these agriculture farms owned by different sections of Pakistan army. The movement for land rights started in year 2000 in these areas and despite all the state repression it has continued in very peaceful but militant manner. Earlier on 19 January 2009, a peasant gathering in Renalakhurd organized by AMP attracted over 2000.
There are more such gathering have been planned by AMP. There will be more public meetings; on 10 March at Kalyana Estate Okara, on 29 March at Bengali Farms in Lahore and on 15-16 April a massive peasant conference at Military Farms Okara will take place. It is expected that over 20,000 peasants will participate in Okara peasant conference on the eve of International Day of Peasants.
Report by Aon Sahi
coordinator PKRC
Friday, March 13, 2009
Dear all,
Four of us from Lahore just arrived here at Depalpur Road Okara district. With me are two peasant leader from Bengali Military Farms Lahore.
Over here, peasants from Miltary Farms Okara were waiting to leave for Probamabad peasant convention to be held in two hours. Hundreds have gahtered here waving red flags.
They are on their tractor trolies, vans, motor bikes and big trucks. Some have been waiting here for two hours as others got late from their villages. We started talking about the present crisis. Many were against the governor rule imposed in Punjab by PPP government. I personally know some peasant leaders close to PPP in the past. However, today, they were the first to speak against this action.
One peasant leader commented that PPP is finished as a political power.
The large contingent of Mozareen and peasants from the area are going to this peasant convention to demand for land ownership rights. This is the second large gathering in one month. There will be three more in next two months.
Probanabad is in Depalpur tehsil of Okara. The Mozareen here are working on the land of Army Stud Farms and Army Welfare Trust. They are cultivating the land for over 100 years, still not the owners. Two peasants were killed here by the firing of military and rangers, one Tufail Cheema in 2002, other Zafar Iqbal on 12 May 2007. On both occasion, we visited the area and some other times to speak in public protest gatherings.
The conventin just started at 2pm under the chair of Mehr Abdul Sattar, general secretary AMP. As we arrived, a lot of slogans were raised for ownership of the land. There were around 200 women amd 3000 peasants present in the convention.
On the platefarm are Choudry Abdul Jabar, Nazli Javed, Azra Shad, Bushra Khaliq, Riffat Maqsood,
Asad Farooq, Rahim, Shahzad Ahmad, Chaman, Shabir Choudry, Mian Ashraf, Nadeem Ashraf, Liaqat Ali and some others.
Yaseen Bhutta, local president of AMP speaking on the occasion asked PPP leaders to remember the message of Benazhir Bhutto who supported our demands, he read a message of Benazhir Bhutto for AMP when a local peasant Zafar Iqbal of Bail Ganj was killed by police on 12 May 2007. He narrated that PPP promised to give land to the peasant. Our message to them that they must fulfill their promise.
Aziza Bibi a peasant women from Bail Ganj Military Farms siad that we know how to take our land. They killed our brothers. The politicians from big parties are betraying.
Mohammed Akbar Baluch, another peasant leader from Bailganj military farms condemned the lies of big political parties to give them this land. "We must forge unity and solidarity among our selves. We are Mozareen and will not leave the land in any case. If any has the courage, come and lay your foot on our land, we will tolerate this and will teach them lesson that they will remember whole life" he said.
Malik Mohammed Saleem Jakhar, peasant secretary LPP Punjab and president of AMP Kulyana Estate said, that we are now paying the price of our mistake when we agreed to become lessee instead of tenent, now some of is are forced to pay over 25000 Rupees contract money for one acre. Now we have announced that we will not pay more than Rupees 10,000 for one acre. We are fighting for that and are suceeding. Two of our peasants have been killed during the last two years. We are all ready to die but will not accept dictatorial and supressive measures. Over 25 police cases are registered against us based on lies.We demand the withdrawl of all police cases against the peasants.
Baba Mehr Shariff narrated a revolutionary poem and was very well appriciated,
Nadeem Ashraf, Nazim Renalkhurd and vice president AMP announced a series of public meetings and conferences to pressurise for land owner rights.
Our meetings will be attended by thousands. He warned that if our demands are not met till 17 April, then we will have a sit in on the main road in Okara. We will not have a long march to Islamabad but a massive sit in Okara that will force the government to accept our demands.
Bushra Khaliq general secretary Women Workers Help Line spoke of the great secrifices of the peasant women in the movement of the Mozareen. They have been in the forefront of the movement. They will continue to do so. We the women of Pakistan express solidarity with the movement and will continue to side with the most militant movement of Pakistan.
She was very well received by the participant when she asked the peasants not to use any domestic violence against women.
Javed Kanwal, secretary local Press Club expressed solidarity with peasants movement. He said only Socialism can solve the basic issues of peasants and workers. He advised the peasants not to trust the capitalist and feudal politicians.
Noor Nabi leader of AMP Okara demanded the withdrawl of governor rule in Punjab. He also demanded the reinstatement of the top judges.
Choudry Shabir president AMP district Pakpattan narrated the glorious achievements this movement has achieved. "No one can now move us out of land, our power is our unity of men and women.
Azra Shad chairperson WWHL and Nazli Javed women secretary Labour Party Pakistan spoke of the importance of women participation in the movement. Nazli Javed criticised the religiouis forces to force the women inside the homes. "Here a lot of peasant women are sitting with men and there is no problem" she said.
I was like the chief guest of the convention. It was my first attendence in a public gathering after my angioplast. It had a good rest for nearly a month. However, I felt very good to be a here. I spoke of the seven martyers of the movement and said that we fought against military dictatorship and ask PPP government to filfill the promises. " When in opposition, they all sit with is saying that we are with you. Now they are in power, no one remember the promises".
"We will not forgot to demand our rights even at a time when both PPP and PMLN are fighting with each other. We demand an end of governor dictatorial rule and reinstaement of the top judges. We will participate in the long march. Accept our demands till 17 April or face our sit ins and Dharnas" I said.
Mehr Abdul Sattar in his presidential address told the peasants to be ready for another round of struggle. This is our land and will remain so. He warned the politicians of the district that they either help us for land rights or be ready for our reply in the next general elections. We will put up our own workers and peasant candidates in the elections. He appealed for workers and peasant unity. "We will fight for lamd rights for the landless labourers as well" he said.
The convention went on for four hours although there was not proper seating arrangements. Many were sitting on the ground without any shadow. They dispersed raising a lot of slogans and saying that they are here to stay.
By: Farooq Tariq
Secretary Pakistan Peasants Coordination Commigttee
Four of us from Lahore just arrived here at Depalpur Road Okara district. With me are two peasant leader from Bengali Military Farms Lahore.
Over here, peasants from Miltary Farms Okara were waiting to leave for Probamabad peasant convention to be held in two hours. Hundreds have gahtered here waving red flags.
They are on their tractor trolies, vans, motor bikes and big trucks. Some have been waiting here for two hours as others got late from their villages. We started talking about the present crisis. Many were against the governor rule imposed in Punjab by PPP government. I personally know some peasant leaders close to PPP in the past. However, today, they were the first to speak against this action.
One peasant leader commented that PPP is finished as a political power.
The large contingent of Mozareen and peasants from the area are going to this peasant convention to demand for land ownership rights. This is the second large gathering in one month. There will be three more in next two months.
Probanabad is in Depalpur tehsil of Okara. The Mozareen here are working on the land of Army Stud Farms and Army Welfare Trust. They are cultivating the land for over 100 years, still not the owners. Two peasants were killed here by the firing of military and rangers, one Tufail Cheema in 2002, other Zafar Iqbal on 12 May 2007. On both occasion, we visited the area and some other times to speak in public protest gatherings.
The conventin just started at 2pm under the chair of Mehr Abdul Sattar, general secretary AMP. As we arrived, a lot of slogans were raised for ownership of the land. There were around 200 women amd 3000 peasants present in the convention.
On the platefarm are Choudry Abdul Jabar, Nazli Javed, Azra Shad, Bushra Khaliq, Riffat Maqsood,
Asad Farooq, Rahim, Shahzad Ahmad, Chaman, Shabir Choudry, Mian Ashraf, Nadeem Ashraf, Liaqat Ali and some others.
Yaseen Bhutta, local president of AMP speaking on the occasion asked PPP leaders to remember the message of Benazhir Bhutto who supported our demands, he read a message of Benazhir Bhutto for AMP when a local peasant Zafar Iqbal of Bail Ganj was killed by police on 12 May 2007. He narrated that PPP promised to give land to the peasant. Our message to them that they must fulfill their promise.
Aziza Bibi a peasant women from Bail Ganj Military Farms siad that we know how to take our land. They killed our brothers. The politicians from big parties are betraying.
Mohammed Akbar Baluch, another peasant leader from Bailganj military farms condemned the lies of big political parties to give them this land. "We must forge unity and solidarity among our selves. We are Mozareen and will not leave the land in any case. If any has the courage, come and lay your foot on our land, we will tolerate this and will teach them lesson that they will remember whole life" he said.
Malik Mohammed Saleem Jakhar, peasant secretary LPP Punjab and president of AMP Kulyana Estate said, that we are now paying the price of our mistake when we agreed to become lessee instead of tenent, now some of is are forced to pay over 25000 Rupees contract money for one acre. Now we have announced that we will not pay more than Rupees 10,000 for one acre. We are fighting for that and are suceeding. Two of our peasants have been killed during the last two years. We are all ready to die but will not accept dictatorial and supressive measures. Over 25 police cases are registered against us based on lies.We demand the withdrawl of all police cases against the peasants.
Baba Mehr Shariff narrated a revolutionary poem and was very well appriciated,
Nadeem Ashraf, Nazim Renalkhurd and vice president AMP announced a series of public meetings and conferences to pressurise for land owner rights.
Our meetings will be attended by thousands. He warned that if our demands are not met till 17 April, then we will have a sit in on the main road in Okara. We will not have a long march to Islamabad but a massive sit in Okara that will force the government to accept our demands.
Bushra Khaliq general secretary Women Workers Help Line spoke of the great secrifices of the peasant women in the movement of the Mozareen. They have been in the forefront of the movement. They will continue to do so. We the women of Pakistan express solidarity with the movement and will continue to side with the most militant movement of Pakistan.
She was very well received by the participant when she asked the peasants not to use any domestic violence against women.
Javed Kanwal, secretary local Press Club expressed solidarity with peasants movement. He said only Socialism can solve the basic issues of peasants and workers. He advised the peasants not to trust the capitalist and feudal politicians.
Noor Nabi leader of AMP Okara demanded the withdrawl of governor rule in Punjab. He also demanded the reinstatement of the top judges.
Choudry Shabir president AMP district Pakpattan narrated the glorious achievements this movement has achieved. "No one can now move us out of land, our power is our unity of men and women.
Azra Shad chairperson WWHL and Nazli Javed women secretary Labour Party Pakistan spoke of the importance of women participation in the movement. Nazli Javed criticised the religiouis forces to force the women inside the homes. "Here a lot of peasant women are sitting with men and there is no problem" she said.
I was like the chief guest of the convention. It was my first attendence in a public gathering after my angioplast. It had a good rest for nearly a month. However, I felt very good to be a here. I spoke of the seven martyers of the movement and said that we fought against military dictatorship and ask PPP government to filfill the promises. " When in opposition, they all sit with is saying that we are with you. Now they are in power, no one remember the promises".
"We will not forgot to demand our rights even at a time when both PPP and PMLN are fighting with each other. We demand an end of governor dictatorial rule and reinstaement of the top judges. We will participate in the long march. Accept our demands till 17 April or face our sit ins and Dharnas" I said.
Mehr Abdul Sattar in his presidential address told the peasants to be ready for another round of struggle. This is our land and will remain so. He warned the politicians of the district that they either help us for land rights or be ready for our reply in the next general elections. We will put up our own workers and peasant candidates in the elections. He appealed for workers and peasant unity. "We will fight for lamd rights for the landless labourers as well" he said.
The convention went on for four hours although there was not proper seating arrangements. Many were sitting on the ground without any shadow. They dispersed raising a lot of slogans and saying that they are here to stay.
By: Farooq Tariq
Secretary Pakistan Peasants Coordination Commigttee
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
National campaign against SEZ and Land displacement Nationwide protest on March 25, 2009
Dear,
Every state of the country is witnessing mass protest against land acquisition for SEZ and other projects. Representatives of these protest movements met on December 27-28, 2009 in Sewagram in the national convention of ABA and they unanimously decided to hold a joint protest programme at national level on March 25, 2009. On this day activists of these movements will organise demonstration, meeting, rally, whatever they can according to their preparations and send a memorandum to local, state and central government. The same be also sent to main political parties of the country. A draft of the memorandum is attached with this letter. You can make change in it according to the local requirements. We will appreciate if you write a post card to us.
With regards.
Yours sincerely
(Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma)
National Convener
Azadi Bachao Andolan
Every state of the country is witnessing mass protest against land acquisition for SEZ and other projects. Representatives of these protest movements met on December 27-28, 2009 in Sewagram in the national convention of ABA and they unanimously decided to hold a joint protest programme at national level on March 25, 2009. On this day activists of these movements will organise demonstration, meeting, rally, whatever they can according to their preparations and send a memorandum to local, state and central government. The same be also sent to main political parties of the country. A draft of the memorandum is attached with this letter. You can make change in it according to the local requirements. We will appreciate if you write a post card to us.
With regards.
Yours sincerely
(Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma)
National Convener
Azadi Bachao Andolan
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A petition to Sri Lanka courts against sand mining in Eastern coast
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 17:40 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Feb 25, Colombo: Challenging the selection of a multi-national company to excavate mineral sands on the coast between Nilaveli and Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka Marxist party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today filed a petition at the Court of Appeals.
JVP parliamentarians Bimal Ratnayake and Jayantha Wijesekara with the corporation of an inter-company workers union representing the party filed the petition.
Petitioners have named the Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama, Coast Conservation Department, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Sri Lanka Board of Investment and Environmental Development Authority as the respondents of this petition.
They have pointed out that the Minister of Industrial Development has selected a multi-national company to mine mineral sands from Pulmoddai following the approval given by the Cabinet of ministers on December 2nd last year.
The petitioners appealed the Courts to issue a suspension order on this decision pointing out that the project had been given to an Austrian company without adhering to an accepted tender procedure.
Copyright © 2000, 2009 by LankaPage.com (LLC) :
The news and other contents on ColomboPage are copyrighted property of LankaPage.com, LLC. Any unauthorized use of any information on ColomboPage may constitute a violation of copyright laws. You need written permission to reproduce, republish, post, transmit, broadcast or distribute, material from this site from LankaPage.com, LLC. However, news organizations or broadcasters in Sri Lanka may republish the news items in ColomboPage with proper acknowledgment to ColomboPage.
Feb 25, Colombo: Challenging the selection of a multi-national company to excavate mineral sands on the coast between Nilaveli and Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka Marxist party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today filed a petition at the Court of Appeals.
JVP parliamentarians Bimal Ratnayake and Jayantha Wijesekara with the corporation of an inter-company workers union representing the party filed the petition.
Petitioners have named the Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama, Coast Conservation Department, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Sri Lanka Board of Investment and Environmental Development Authority as the respondents of this petition.
They have pointed out that the Minister of Industrial Development has selected a multi-national company to mine mineral sands from Pulmoddai following the approval given by the Cabinet of ministers on December 2nd last year.
The petitioners appealed the Courts to issue a suspension order on this decision pointing out that the project had been given to an Austrian company without adhering to an accepted tender procedure.
Copyright © 2000, 2009 by LankaPage.com (LLC) :
The news and other contents on ColomboPage are copyrighted property of LankaPage.com, LLC. Any unauthorized use of any information on ColomboPage may constitute a violation of copyright laws. You need written permission to reproduce, republish, post, transmit, broadcast or distribute, material from this site from LankaPage.com, LLC. However, news organizations or broadcasters in Sri Lanka may republish the news items in ColomboPage with proper acknowledgment to ColomboPage.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Four house affected & 19 people displaced by fire in Kotagala
National Fisheries Solidarity , PPD Network And Praja Abhilasha Network involved in this issue. 25th february the Coordinator of PA have visited on behalf of these three network and Provided (some materials) to rebuild their houses through FOLISEB Lanka. also provided exercise books and other materials for education. here with few families received clothes too from our network.
Source from : Virakesari dated 24th February 2009
Refusal from the estste manegement for cultivating in the home garden
Source from : Virakesari dated 24th February, 2009
COLOMBO, 23 February 2009 (IRIN) - Food convoys for thousands of displaced in Sri Lanka's north remain suspended after more than a month, despite rising concerns over a growing food crisis.
"The security situation since 16 January has not been conducive for food convoys to go in," Adnan Khan, country representative for the World Food Programme [WFP] said in Colombo, citing concerns over small arms fire and possible landmines en route.
Since the middle of September, the Vanni (which includes parts of Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu districts, about 300 km north of the capital) has been a "no-go" area after security concerns by the government prompted the relocation of aid operations to the northern town of Vavuniya, within government-held territory.
Earlier this month, the UN food agency warned that the entire population of the Vanni faced a food crisis.
"Food assistance is urgently needed for those still trapped in the conflict zone," Khan told IRIN. "The resumption of convoys will only be possible if there is a lull in the conflict, but right now that's not happening."
According to the UN, tens of thousands of civilians remain in the Vanni after heavy fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland since 1983.
WFP began food convoys to the Vanni on 2 October after its relocation from Kilinochchi in the Vanni.
A total of 11 WFP convoys comprising up to 60 trucks at a time continued until 16 January, when they were suspended following violent clashes that resulted in convoy personnel being trapped in the Vanni for almost a week.
An additional convoy carrying WFP food, but belonging to the government, was dispatched on 28 January.
Altogether 8,400MT of food assistance was distributed, including about 800MT of food that WFP procured locally.
Key to the overall operation was the government, according to Khan, as well as other stakeholders, including the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), which negotiated with the government forces and the LTTE for safe passage of the convoys into the conflict zone.
"There were a lot of parties involved in making the convoys happen," the WFP official said.
As WFP and others had withdrawn from the Vanni, government collaboration was particularly important in terms of security clearance, as well as the downstream distribution of the food to beneficiaries, he added.
Sea deliveries
"We have to find an alternative route to provide food for the internally displaced people since road transportation is impossible," S Divaratna, the commissioner-general for essential services, said in Colombo, according to the Defence Ministry.
On 18 February, the government sent 40MT of food assistance by ship to civilians sheltering along the north-eastern coast near Mullaitivu.
But this is just a fraction of what is needed.
The UN and other relief agencies believe up to 200,000 are still trapped in the Vanni, while the government estimates half that number.
"The question of sufficiency is directly linked to the question of numbers," Khan said.
According to WFP calculations, 40MT can only feed about 11,500 people for a week.
WFP sent 10MT of wheat flour by ship under the ICRC flag on 20 February and is in negotiations with the government on regular shipments via government-arranged ships.
WFP is also providing food assistance to some 35,000 ethnic Tamils who have fled to Vavuniya and are staying at 16 transit sites, primarily schools, in the area.
The government has asked WFP to be prepared for up to 50,000 displaced in Vavuniya; however, that number may be revisited.
"We need to be prepared together with the rest of the UN and NGO family to see how we can be of assistance," Khan said.
An earlier government plan envisioned that up to 100,000 people may flee south in need of assistance.
By: Mr. Herman Kumara
"The security situation since 16 January has not been conducive for food convoys to go in," Adnan Khan, country representative for the World Food Programme [WFP] said in Colombo, citing concerns over small arms fire and possible landmines en route.
Since the middle of September, the Vanni (which includes parts of Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu districts, about 300 km north of the capital) has been a "no-go" area after security concerns by the government prompted the relocation of aid operations to the northern town of Vavuniya, within government-held territory.
Earlier this month, the UN food agency warned that the entire population of the Vanni faced a food crisis.
"Food assistance is urgently needed for those still trapped in the conflict zone," Khan told IRIN. "The resumption of convoys will only be possible if there is a lull in the conflict, but right now that's not happening."
According to the UN, tens of thousands of civilians remain in the Vanni after heavy fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland since 1983.
WFP began food convoys to the Vanni on 2 October after its relocation from Kilinochchi in the Vanni.
A total of 11 WFP convoys comprising up to 60 trucks at a time continued until 16 January, when they were suspended following violent clashes that resulted in convoy personnel being trapped in the Vanni for almost a week.
An additional convoy carrying WFP food, but belonging to the government, was dispatched on 28 January.
Altogether 8,400MT of food assistance was distributed, including about 800MT of food that WFP procured locally.
Key to the overall operation was the government, according to Khan, as well as other stakeholders, including the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), which negotiated with the government forces and the LTTE for safe passage of the convoys into the conflict zone.
"There were a lot of parties involved in making the convoys happen," the WFP official said.
As WFP and others had withdrawn from the Vanni, government collaboration was particularly important in terms of security clearance, as well as the downstream distribution of the food to beneficiaries, he added.
Sea deliveries
"We have to find an alternative route to provide food for the internally displaced people since road transportation is impossible," S Divaratna, the commissioner-general for essential services, said in Colombo, according to the Defence Ministry.
On 18 February, the government sent 40MT of food assistance by ship to civilians sheltering along the north-eastern coast near Mullaitivu.
But this is just a fraction of what is needed.
The UN and other relief agencies believe up to 200,000 are still trapped in the Vanni, while the government estimates half that number.
"The question of sufficiency is directly linked to the question of numbers," Khan said.
According to WFP calculations, 40MT can only feed about 11,500 people for a week.
WFP sent 10MT of wheat flour by ship under the ICRC flag on 20 February and is in negotiations with the government on regular shipments via government-arranged ships.
WFP is also providing food assistance to some 35,000 ethnic Tamils who have fled to Vavuniya and are staying at 16 transit sites, primarily schools, in the area.
The government has asked WFP to be prepared for up to 50,000 displaced in Vavuniya; however, that number may be revisited.
"We need to be prepared together with the rest of the UN and NGO family to see how we can be of assistance," Khan said.
An earlier government plan envisioned that up to 100,000 people may flee south in need of assistance.
By: Mr. Herman Kumara
Land Rights Campaign begins
Anjman Mozareen Punjab has once again started a campaign for land rights. 68000 acres of land is in possession of Military Farms and Army Welfare Trust. The land is located in Lahore, Okara and Pakpattan district of Punjab. The agricultural land is mainly cultivated by tenants.
The tenants were asked to become lessee in year 2000 by Musharraf dictatorship. The scheme was to hand over this land to multi national companies for corporate farming. The tenants resisted and formed Anjaman Mozareen Punjab (Punjab tenant Association). The AMP became a vehicle of resistance with the help of progressive political and social organizations.
The resistance by AMP became one of the most militant movements of peasantry in Punjab history. Instead of becoming lessee, they refused to pay the share, they were paying as tenants. The women played the leading role. Seven were killed, scores injured and hundreds arrested during the peaceful but militant movement.
During the movement, Pakistan People Party and Muslim League Nawaz promised to give this land to the tenants when they will come to power. A year has passed while both in power. Not much is done to fulfill this promise.
On 17 April 2008, over 5000 tenants and peasants participated in a peasant conference held at Okara Military Farms on the international day of peasants. They reminded the both parties to do what they promised.
We heard that three member's federal cabinet committee is formed to solve this issue. Not a single meeting of this committee took place during one year.
In November 2008, we revealed in a press conference that some agriculture land in Renala Khurd belonging to tenants is been allotted to some military generals and officers in 2007 by the then Punjab government of Pervaiz Ilanhi. We made it clear that we are the occupants of this land and we will not hand over this land to the military officers.
In December 2008, I reminded Mian Nawaz Sharif in a meeting at his residence about his promise. He was very keen to do something. He asked my contact and promised that he will take initiative to have a meeting with the tenants. There are no developments until now in this regard either. I also told him that the land is owned by Punjab government and military is occupying the land without any legal documents.
On 19 January 2009, over 2000 tenants gathered at Renalkhurd in a public meeting by AMP demand the land rights. The police occupied the platform in the morning and asked the organizers to cancel this public meeting. They refused and later when the peasants started to arrive in the tractor trolleys, the police fled from the place and the meeting went ahead.
On 16 February 2009, the AMP leadership including Mehr Abdul Satar, Nadeem Asharaf, Shabir Choudry, Liaqat Ali alongside with Peoples Right Movement convener Asim Sajad addressed a press conference in Islamabad. Daily Dawn reported the press conference in detail with the title "tillers of military farms seek ownership rights". The report says, "When the state repression at Okara Military Farms was at its peak in 2002 and 2003, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif spoke out in favour of the tenants and promised that one of their first action upon coming to power would be to withdrawal all false criminal cases against the tenants and allot them the land they had been tilling over 100 years. The APM and PRM office bearers pointed out that a year's time was sufficient for the elected government to take the necessary measures to transform property rights to the tenants".
The AMP leadership has decided to organise more public rallies during the next two months. On 29 February 2009, a public rally will be organized at Depalpur, On 12 March at Kulyana Estate Okara, on 29 March Lahore Pengali Military Farms and on 16 April, a peasant conference will be held at Okara Military Farms.
They have decided to print posters, leaflets ands stickers to fly post all over the country. It is estimated that over 20,000 peasants will attend the Okara conference on 16 April 2009. The conference will be attended by the peasant representatives from all over the country and internationally, The AMP is part of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee. PKRC has decided to coordinate the campaign and work alongside with AMP in mobilization.
by:Mr.Herman Kumara
The tenants were asked to become lessee in year 2000 by Musharraf dictatorship. The scheme was to hand over this land to multi national companies for corporate farming. The tenants resisted and formed Anjaman Mozareen Punjab (Punjab tenant Association). The AMP became a vehicle of resistance with the help of progressive political and social organizations.
The resistance by AMP became one of the most militant movements of peasantry in Punjab history. Instead of becoming lessee, they refused to pay the share, they were paying as tenants. The women played the leading role. Seven were killed, scores injured and hundreds arrested during the peaceful but militant movement.
During the movement, Pakistan People Party and Muslim League Nawaz promised to give this land to the tenants when they will come to power. A year has passed while both in power. Not much is done to fulfill this promise.
On 17 April 2008, over 5000 tenants and peasants participated in a peasant conference held at Okara Military Farms on the international day of peasants. They reminded the both parties to do what they promised.
We heard that three member's federal cabinet committee is formed to solve this issue. Not a single meeting of this committee took place during one year.
In November 2008, we revealed in a press conference that some agriculture land in Renala Khurd belonging to tenants is been allotted to some military generals and officers in 2007 by the then Punjab government of Pervaiz Ilanhi. We made it clear that we are the occupants of this land and we will not hand over this land to the military officers.
In December 2008, I reminded Mian Nawaz Sharif in a meeting at his residence about his promise. He was very keen to do something. He asked my contact and promised that he will take initiative to have a meeting with the tenants. There are no developments until now in this regard either. I also told him that the land is owned by Punjab government and military is occupying the land without any legal documents.
On 19 January 2009, over 2000 tenants gathered at Renalkhurd in a public meeting by AMP demand the land rights. The police occupied the platform in the morning and asked the organizers to cancel this public meeting. They refused and later when the peasants started to arrive in the tractor trolleys, the police fled from the place and the meeting went ahead.
On 16 February 2009, the AMP leadership including Mehr Abdul Satar, Nadeem Asharaf, Shabir Choudry, Liaqat Ali alongside with Peoples Right Movement convener Asim Sajad addressed a press conference in Islamabad. Daily Dawn reported the press conference in detail with the title "tillers of military farms seek ownership rights". The report says, "When the state repression at Okara Military Farms was at its peak in 2002 and 2003, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif spoke out in favour of the tenants and promised that one of their first action upon coming to power would be to withdrawal all false criminal cases against the tenants and allot them the land they had been tilling over 100 years. The APM and PRM office bearers pointed out that a year's time was sufficient for the elected government to take the necessary measures to transform property rights to the tenants".
The AMP leadership has decided to organise more public rallies during the next two months. On 29 February 2009, a public rally will be organized at Depalpur, On 12 March at Kulyana Estate Okara, on 29 March Lahore Pengali Military Farms and on 16 April, a peasant conference will be held at Okara Military Farms.
They have decided to print posters, leaflets ands stickers to fly post all over the country. It is estimated that over 20,000 peasants will attend the Okara conference on 16 April 2009. The conference will be attended by the peasant representatives from all over the country and internationally, The AMP is part of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee. PKRC has decided to coordinate the campaign and work alongside with AMP in mobilization.
by:Mr.Herman Kumara
Friday, February 6, 2009
The razing of houses continues along the sewage drain that extends from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to the new sports facilities behind INA market.
These are pictures taken this morning in the Kotla Mubarakpur stretch.
In the 35-40 years that these families have dwelt here, their homes have been razed twice before. As this is the third time, they have learnt to cope, being that their livelihoods are here and they hope, as promised before the last election, that all the dwellers here would get pukka houses nearby. This being their main incentive, apart from their existing livelihoods nearby, makes them determined to continue to stay in the rubble.
The local MLA has been hiding from them since the houses were razed, they said.
Into the third day now, they have reconstructed makeshift homes which they dismantle each morning. The police trouble them all day. At night, poles and plastic sheets again reconstruct a shanty town. Some have shifted to the pavement across the road, where a few homes that already existed were not touched. Others have set up huts in a nearby park.
Two small temples have been left standing. The larger temple is already expanding its footprint, as new barbed wire demarcates extra area for expansion. "We have to do this. Look how small my baby is. Can he live in the open in this cold?" a mother said. The night temperatures touch 11*. She said the temple belongs to her father in law.
The grand dog belongs to 'someone very big in the supreme court' who owns a cargo/tempo service. A large plot within this area of demolished huts is used for parking his vehicles. These tempos were not touched by the bulldozers.
The toilet with a cemented WC has been built over a sewage pipe. 'If they bulldoze that, sewage will explode over them,' I was told, and the morning mist comes over the site and opens the sewage drain. Huts multiplied into hundreds in this ugly, filthy drain over the past 45 years.
Families, buffaloes, pigs, and geese, all lived in utter squalor.
They used the material people like me threw out to build themselves homes.
Gently he chisels intact bricks free to use again.
A shoe and a ball of wool. Signs of lives lost in the rubble
These were walls and windows
Behind a temple left untouched. A new barbed wire fence. Huts that come up each night and are taken down each morning.
This is the temple with idols on the side wall just above the rolled tarpaulin, and nightly huts visible behind.
Her home, her child, her work.
This bathroom has a sover braided charpoy for one wall.
Children are our future.
reflecting out times
' We shifted here.'
' I built this toilet with my own hands.'
Today those huts behind are to be razed.
Strange how raising huts and razing huts sounds just the same in English, but
to Delhi, by and large, either process makes no difference.
source by: Mr.Herman Kumara
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Gathering Illegal sea sand at Breakwater of Ma-Oya
Near to Kochchikade, the illegal activity of gathering and taking sand is being carried out in the breakwater area of the Ma-Oya River. This activity is usually carried out by many people during the night, as some politicians turn a blind eye to their actions, supporting this exploitation. One well-wisher has complained to the police and the Coastal Reservation Authority regarding these activities, though no action has yet taken place. Instead, this same person was transferred, so s/he does not like to publish his/her name. This illegal activity decreases sand in the breakwater area, and as currents do not have enough sand to take to the other side, an increase in sea erosion occurs. The government has used huge, stone fences in the coastal area to try to protect the sea erosion from the currents, but the government, instead, needs to stop this illegal activity, otherwise the sea erosion will never cease. Therefore, the Authority should come forward to save this area.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Love Lane Tsunami Refugee camp in Trincomalee
The above mentioned tsunami refugee camp is located in Love Lane, Trincomalee, in Sri Lanka. Here, thirty-four families were displaced by the 2004 tsunami. Sixteen of these families have been resettled, but the other 18 affected families are still living in the refugee camp. Many family members have to stay in a small cottage and have been facing a number of problems during the rain. These eighteen families are going to be resettled at Vellaimanal, Karimanal Uttru in Trincomalee. The Gramma Sewaka (G.S) has stated that the affected families will be settled down before 15 January, 2009, but the contracted works have still not been completed. These 18 families are fisher people. Although they have severe constraints for their livelihood and the education of their children, they have declared that if they resettle in Vellaimanal village, they will have to travel 15 km to do their fisheries work. If they want to go to the sea for fishing, they are required to get the pass around 05.00am, but the first bus from Vellaimanal to Kuchchuveli is at 05.30am. The affected people request that the government should at least arrange the bus just earlier than the scheduled time, such as 04.00am, so they can carry out their work in a successful manner. Otherwise their livelihood will be affected completely. Even if the people are settled down, their problems and existing poverty would remain. So the people request that the government provide the equitable and sustainable solution for them.
By: F.Raajan
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sea Erosion from Nainamadama to Thoduwawa in Sri lanka
sea erosion caused From Nainamadama up to Thoduwawa, it damaged the road which is located near these sea shore. 12 families were displaced. read the whole story above mentioned.
Source : Lakbima dated 11-12-2008
Sainthamaruthu Tsunami affected people are still in Refugee's camp
Sainthamaruthu people who were affeted by Tsunami, still have been living in refugee's camp.the above article scribed the current situation.the affected people's needs haven't fulfilled yet.
Source : Lakbima dated 11-12-2008.
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