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

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)

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

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

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

Land Rights Research Report of Praja Abhilasha & PPD Network