A Reflection on the Attack on Jaffna University Students

There has been a military-police attack on Tamil residents attending commemorative events for their dead in the North. Other similar incidents were reported from Mannar as well. Two catholic priests have received orders prohibiting the celebration of Mass.

Some of the dead that the Tamil people commemorate no doubt may have been the Tigers or the LTTErs, who were perhaps their family members or their kith and kin. 

Could a ritual – lighting of oil lamps be a threat to the country’s security? How can such religio-cultural annual commemorative events be prohibited? Holding such events serves a human need to release a person’s emotional burdens accumulated due to the loss of one’s dear ones. 

Does commemoration by their comrades of the dead JVPers who took up arms against the State, cause a threat?

What Sri Lanka should earnestly seek in the post war area is reconciliation. Such attacks unfortunately lead only to generate contrary results eg. further alienation of the Tamil youth. Alienation of youth could one day be a security threat. If that happens again in the North, as in 1971 and 89-90 period in the south, the government should take the blame. 

The attacks on the students point to the fact that the government is not interested in reconciliation. This is what is reflected in the move to abolish the 13^th amendment. The devolution of power has been accepted as a solution to the problem from the time of Bundaranayaka and Senanayaka.

It was also a promise made by the President Rajapaksha on several occasions. But unfortunately, he seems to go back track. What we witness now is not sharing of power but greater centralization of power. The attack on the judiciary is one more step in that direction. This is not a healthy phenomenon.

As it has been mentioned in the LLRC recommendations, the national war has been a creation of power hungry political leaders. The politicians are not interested in working out a solution.

Our country needs honest leadership. What we have in the country at present are opportunists and politicians who are corrupt to the core. A way for them is to create LTTE or Tamil diaspora phobia among the gullible population.

The national issue for them is only a political tool to remain in power or come in to power. They would betray religion, language, national flag or even the people for their selfish ends namely to seek more power and wealth.

Therefore we should not depend on these politicians and should not expect solutions from them. 

However there are positive signs emerging. Unlike in the past the students of other universities in the South have stood in solidarity condemning the attacks on the Jaffna university students. This solidarity is a sign of hope for future.

Also, the leadership role played by Ven Sobitha of Naga Viharaya Kotte, the FUTA and Lawyers for Democracy on current issues, ought to be appreciated. People of this country expect a greater contribution from them to bring the country out of this mess.

Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda

Forging New Alliances

The university teachers (FUTA)  joining the recent demonstration held by the school teachers in Colombo, was a very good development. The union leadership has to congratulated for building such solidarity. Normally we are used to fight our own battles in isolation.

In the present circumstances, such struggles are doomed to fail. Let the workers, peasants and fishermen search and identify areas where all can join and forge a common struggle. 

In view of that a new understanding of the 'oppressed class' is required. In the past, we understood only the factory workers or peasants are oppressed. The policies of the neo-liberalism and market economy has had its influence not only on the field of education but also on several other fields such as health, social welfare, agriculture and fisheries and so on. The peasants and fishermen have been affected by land grab in the name of tourism. 

Thus, today it looks that all except the politicians have fallen into the oppressed class. Not only the workers, peasants but also the doctors, university teachers, school teachers all belonged to the oppressed category.

The percentage of allocations in the national budget for the welfare of workers, fisheries and agriculture ought to be raised and the allocations for defense ought to be reduced in this post war era.

An enlightened leadership such as FUTA or teachers' unions need to take the initiative to forge an alliance of these oppressed people which can act as a counter force and resist the market policies or neoliberal policies currently being carried out by the present regime or even by the one that would come next.

The Current Challenges to the Citizens

I thought of addressing those friends of ours who have interest in the welfare of the poor in Sri Lanka.  

Currently we are facing several challenging events. One of them is the three months long strike of the university teachers. A few key demands of the university teachers are :

·       To increase from 1.8% to 6% of the GDP the government allocations for education. 

·       To stop the political interference with the university administration.

·       A salary increase for the university teachers.

Unless the allocations are increased for the universities, they will not be able to maintain a good academic staff. Many well qualified dons have begun to leave our land to take up better jobs in various foreign universities. Already there are about 3000 vacancies in the 16 universities in the country.  

Due to cut down of funds, the Free Education system that we had will gradually disappear and this will make the poor to pay for the education of their children.

Therefore the issue is one of national importance. We therefore thought we should join in this campaign. We organized events to educate the general public on this topic and also took part in their Walk. The strike went on for 100 days. At the moment it has been suspended and the universities will resume teaching from Monday.  

The second recent event was the physical assault on the secretary of the judiciary by some unknown men.

This reflects the kind of dictatorial government we have now in Sri Lanka. With the introduction of the 18th amendment to the constitution, the executive has taken over unto himself all the powers which the legislature and judiciary exercised up to now. The signs of dictatorship were seen emerging since then. The assault on the secretary of the judiciary demonstrates that the democratic form of governance has reached its last stages.

We as citizens are now confronted with the challenge of overcoming this threat to democracy. In the present context we do not expect the opposition to do anything. The present political parties are very unreliable. During the last few decades many presidential candidates although promised to do away with the executive presidency but once in power they forget their promises.

In our view more civil groups with foresight should come forward. They are more dependable. We expect that they will give a leadership to people’s power type mobilization strategy.   

A NUPO Leaders Speech

Reverend Fathers, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen!

A result of a people’s long march.

Paththayamwatta housing scheme is another admirable achievement of a long march by the poor in Negombo. We say so because during this march we the poor people set aside all our differences based on caste, party politics and creed, and organized ourselves as the Negombo United People’s Organization, (NUPO) holding on to our own identity, autonomy and self respect, in order to secure our shelter rights. 

Our journey is unique because we have suffered many instances of rejection and defeat but at every such occasion we have risen again and became stronger to fight our battle. During this journey of 30 long years, we the marginalized and the poor of Negombo have made many sacrifices, shed our sweat and moved on step by step never turning back.

Our Origin

The fire that burned down about 35 temporary houses as a result of lightning fire crackers during the X’mas in 1979, at a place called Paradise Place in the parish of Grand St Negombo and the activities connected with construction of houses for the victims and the search for suitable  sites for those who did not receive houses due to  non availability of land, were the circumstances which led to the establishment of NUPO. 

At that time Fr. Ivan Perera was the parish priest. When this calamity happened, he called for the services of Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda who was then the priest in charge of Human Development Apostolate in Negombo. The fisheries department intervened immediately to build new houses for some of the victims. But others were left out due to lack of land.

 

Fr. Iddamlagoda then initiated a programme to motivate and mobilize those people who did not receive houses to search for alternative land. He advised them also to make room for anyone in Negombo who is without land for shelter to join the movement to secure their shelter rights.  

Gradually hundreds of people from various parts of Negombo who did not possess land for building their houses, began to join this new movement for securing shelter rights. This was what we meant by the “long march” which led to the the establishment of the aforementioned   “Negombo United People’s Organization” (NUPO) in 1981.  The aim of this organization was to secure shelter rights and solve issues related to the poverty of the low income people in the area.

They appointed the religious leaders of all denominations as their patrons in order to unite the people of all creeds. The vision of the organization was to seek justice to all people irrespective of their caste, religious and political affiliations.

The purpose of the organization was to raise all their brothers and sisters from the subhuman condition that they have fallen in due to the loss of basic rights, to a higher level of humanity by developing their knowledge, values and skills.  

The NUPO is presently celebrating its 31^st year of existence and is active in 9 districts. In those districts, NUPO is concerned with issues of shelter, health, organic farming and education as well as the problems  of traditional fishermen. The agenda includes cultural activities organized by the youth.  

Our Successes.

The members of NUPO who come from low income categories have acquired knowledge, skills and values and have been able to acquire several material benefits as well. Due to their effective lobbying with the political authorities, they have been able to influence the then government to commission several housing schemes for Munnakkara , such as, a 5 acre land for 100 houses, St Anthony’s Housing Programme, St. Peters Housing Programme, and  the 74 acre land for housing at Kadolkele.  

Problem of Shelter in Negombo.

In spite of the above mentioned housing programmes, people of Negombo are still facing an acute problem of shelter. The number of people who seek membership in the NUPO has increased. For this problem has been there for generations whle the authorities failed to evolve a shelter policy for Negombo.

NUPO as an organization has realized from its own experience, the need for a shelter policy, and is also willing to lobby with the authorities and raise its voice on this issue, while at the same time engaging in housing programmes at the local level.

The poor in Negombo have suffered immensely for generations due to lack of proper shelter programmes. Seeing their fate, NUPO in year 2000, identified a number of state lands for housing schemes, namely the land set aside for the 3rd stage of the Kadolkelle housing programme and the land at Hettiyagewatta (Sea street), Udappuwatta in Palangaturai, Mahawatta (at Pitipana); NUPO then  made a proposal to the authorities to start housing projects in these places. If that proposal had been implemented, about 15,000 poor families in Negombo would have benefited. Sadly those in authority did not heed to our request. Even today we wish to call on the government to consider our proposal.  

Then in 2004, those in the coastal area were affected by the Tsunami. The government then selected Udappuwatta in Palangaturai and Hettiyagewatta in Sea Street  —the lands which NUPO has earmarked for common housing programmes for their own members—  to build houses for the victims of Tsunami. However, NUPO did not raise any objection to that programme on humanitarian grounds.

Yet we checked the list of the beneficiaries and found many who are not eligible for housing benefits. Although, NUPO raised this matter with the Negombo Municipality and the Pradeshiya Saba, it did not receive any response.

Alternative Soloutions.

NUPO members continued to suffer day in and day out due to high cost of living economic hardships and also unaffordable house rents. Having discussed this matter they finally decided in year 2005 to approach the Archbishop of Colombo. Having listened to our plight, he agreed to buy a land for us for a housing programme.

While we were discussing how we could build the houses in case the archbishop bought the land for us, Mr. Osman Bopearachchy a friend of Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda and a professor in Archeology now living in France, happened to be holidaying  in Sri Lanka and promised Fr Sarath to raise funds for the housing programme.

Accordingly, we bought with the Archbihop’s Fund a land first in Athgala and then at Batakanda,  Godigamuwa, hoping to build 50 houses with the housing fund promised by Mr. Bopearachchy. However we could not organize the housing schemes in both areas as planned due to various socio-cultural constraints and selfish agendas of some.      

Subsequently, we resumed our discussions with the political authorities through the intervention of our priests of the area.  As a result of these discussions, the authorities made a promise to give us a 2 acre land from Kadolkelle. It is sad to say that this still remain a mere promise.  

The question of non availability of land for the proposed housing programme became a problem for Mr. Bopearchchy who promised a house construction fund to Fr. Iddamalgoda. The issue was discussed at length at Janawaboda Kendraya and then decided to inform Mr. Bopearachchy about the crisis situation here.

The ultimate result of this negotiation was the agreement reached between the donors in France and the Janawaboda Kendraya to utilize the funds to buy the land for 25 families. Due to the new arrangement, NUPO membership had to face the enormous challenge of selecting the most deserving families. Undoubtedly it was a difficult moment for  the leadership and those who, consequently  decided to  opt out of the scheme. Nevertheless, without much dispute 25 members sacrificed their opportunities for more deserving members in true solidarity.  It was a sacrifice made by the poor on behalf of the poor. Those who made that sacrifice are participating at this joyful event with the hope that they will one day be able to settle down in a land at Kadolkelle.

We of NUPO assure them that we will not forget their cause and we are very much alive to their burning need. We will continue to support their struggle to secure the shelter rights. 

Our Thanks

We are very thankful to all those animators of Janawaboda Kendraya who supported us in many ways during our long journey to secure our shelter rights. At the same time, we appreciate the contributions made by our patrons the venerable chief monk of Maha Pansala Negombo, Moulavi and the Hindu Priests 

 A special mention must be made of Fr. Gamini Fernando the former Episcopal Vicar and Fr. Patrick Fernando the present Episcopal Vicar of the Negombo region, who always extended their helping hand whenever we sought their intervention. We are sad to note their absence on this platform.

Our thanks also go to both the members of “Habitat” and their foreign collaborators, who came to our assistance, for without their collaboration we would not have been able to construct the houses.

Last but not least we extend our thanks to Mr. Bopearachchy whom we have never met  but whose patience with us and timely intervention in organizing the fund made this project a reality.

Our Future

The long term objective of NUPO will not end with the today’s event. We have a long way to go. The problems of the poor will continue to affect us. There are other NUPO members who still suffer without shelter. I would like to conclude my talk by inviting all of you to continue to exercise our social responsibilities on behalf of all of them.    

Negombo United People’sOrganization.

04^th August 2012 

Mullikulam

Visit to Mullikulam

The second visit to Mullikulam was made on the 12^th of July. The group arrived there by about 11.30. The goods contributed by different communities were distributed or handed over to the community leaders. The parish priest also was with the people when we reached the place. We learned that he visit the community quite regularly.

While we were chatting with the community, the British High commissioner arrived at the venue. His arrival prompted an interesting discussion. Naturally, he was shocked to see the plight of the people.  He made a number of inquiries. People introduced their Issue to the High Commissioner quite well.

How did this crisis originate was the first questioned that was raided. In their answer, people told him that their dream is to get back to their original land. The high commissioner asked the people as to why they can't get back to the original land. The answer was that the reasons are not revealed to them by the authorities.

The question was also raised by someone during the discussion if the Navy is determined to take over a large extend of land about 1500 acres, including their own land, why they cannot set aside some acreage needed for their settlement.

Over 200 families have arrived. The jungle has been cleared up and little huts are being built. Cadjans have been provided by the Bishop of Mannar.  But people have to depend on relief for their survival, which was an alien life style for them because they were hard working people. They earned from the sea and land as well. At present, they have no means of livelihood. They have no fishing gear to go for fishing. Also they have not been allocated a permanent land as yet.

It was mentioned to the commissioner that when they were told to leave area by the army the assurance was given to them that they could return in 3 days. Believing their word, people left behind all their belongings including the fishing gear. But when they returned they are left with nothing.

People asked the British High commissioner for his intervention to find a solution.  He said he cannot offer a solution as that is the responsibility of the State. But he said he would take up the matter with the authorities and also share this information with the other diplomats.

Meanwhile the community is planning to celebrate the Church Feast.

--

Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda

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Should I Stop My Work?

A few months back I was returning from Dambulla by bus with a group from Negombo, after participating a farmers protest rally. On my way I received a telephone call from the CID asking me to come to their headquarters in Fort. It surprised me as it was quite unexpected. My excitement ran so high that I did not know what to answer. Then I told the caller that I am travelling in a bus and his voice is not clear and asked him call again after about an hour. Meanwhile, I took time to think over the meaning of this strange call. 

Of course during the previous weeks there were all kinds of rumours about the members of the intelligence services have been moving in the neighbourhood of our centre collecting information about us. In fact two or three intelligence officers have visited our centre and a few Police officers from the area too came to the centre to inquire about our activities. But all that did not really disturb me.

Nevertheless this time receiving a call personally to my mobile disturbed me. Yet it was clear in my conscience and I had confidence because I had done nothing illegal. I have only done what God expected me and that was being a voice to the voiceless. The words of the Bible came to my mind which helped me to remain stable. 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute'. Proverb 31/8-9

However, since I asked the caller to call me after an hour, we had time for a short discussion with other colleagues in the bus itself as to what this really meant. I was ready for the call anytime. Everyone agreed that I should say that I should be at their office on the following morning.

Meanwhile by evening we arranged a senior lawyer, two nuns along with another lawyer from our team in Negombo and a retired intelligence officer, to accompany me to the CID.

This arrangement itself was a source of strength. The spirit of solidarity among ourselves lessened my fear and anxiety.

However, the officers at the entrance did not allow anyone to go inside. I had to go alone to meet the OIC (CID). Now again my heart started beating. I have heard so often that when people who enter there some do not come back. Of course there was another bible verse which came to my mind. 'You will be taken before the synagogue, rulers and kings but do not worry as to what and how you would answer….'.

They took me first to the OIC and then to the ASP. The question was about the 'People's Tribunal' that was held for people who are facing threats to the security of their traditional lands. The particular people's tribunal was headed by me and two other Buddhist monks and two women.

People came from different parts of the country to present their grievances. The fishermen came from the islands of Kalpitiya and Negombo, Polonnaruwa, displaced people from Sampoor in Trincomallee, people threatened with eviction from Borella, people who have lost their land in Panama from down South and so on. They all narrated the fear they have regarding the security of their land.

These are the poor, displaced people, traditional farmers and fishermen. For them, loss of land would amount to loss of their livelihoods and means of survival. It was a threat to their human rights. 

I can state below some of the questions put to me.

·         Who called this gathering?

·         Who are the organizers?

·         What are my connections with them?

·         From where did people come?

·         What are their complaints?

·         Were you involved in the case of fishermen's protest?

·         What are your involvements in the area of the FTZ?

They showed me also the photographs of some foreign journalists who were present and wanted to know my connections with them. Then they played some recordings and wanted me to name those speakers. The whole process took about five hours. At the end they took my signature to the answers they recorded.

Then a police officer brought me out to my great relief and also to the others who were waiting for so long at the entrance, without any sitting facilities.

When I reflect about the whole episode, people do not matter for the politicians in our country and the policy makers. In the name of development the politicians are ready to surrender the country's resources such as land, lagoon, sea and also people to the foreign and local investors. It is an open secret now that behind such arrangements, they are to be rewarded with massive commissions. 

These kind of development activities questions what real development is ? It is Amartya Sen who said that development should mean 'Freedom'.

What we see now as development causing deprivations to the poor, their marginalization, destruction of country's resources and corruption at massive proportion. The country is losing at large.

But the Sri Lankan Church leaders seem to be complacent and keep profound silence on these urgent matters which demand the intervention of the Church. We feel that silence is not a healthy sign. Church cannot put aside its prophetic role. It has to raise its voice against discrimination, corruption at high level and degradation of moral life in our society.

Of course the government won't be happy when we raise our voice. So many voices have already been silenced. The white van syndrome is one way of silencing.  However, we should be thankful to God that he has raised a few prophets from outside the Church. 

Should I stop this kind of work? I had a similar experience in the 89-90 period. But my Faith does not allow. But it is good to take precautions. It is Faith that is motivating me to rise against the injustices committed against the poor in the country. Engaging in the cause of the poor is the only factor which gives meaning not only to my priesthood and also to my existence.  'Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled those who suffer for Justice'.

Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda

Threats to Dr. Nirmal R. Devasiri of FUTA

We,  the members of the Christian Solidarity Movement,  are distressed by the media reports that Dr. Nirmal R. Devasiri of FUTA has been intimidated by a group of unknown men who have arrived by a jeep at his neighbourhood to inquire his whereabouts, claiming to be from the defense ministry.

Having witnessed the recent events of abduction, disappearances and shooting, this is a clear indication to us that Dr. Nirmal Ranjith's life is in imminent danger.

We have seen enough of blood being shed on our soil and the sufferings of families due to loss of their dear ones. If we continue this kind of behavior, world outside will begin to believe that Sri Lanka has not evolved from a culture of barbarism and that great religions of Asia have had no influence over us.     

The intimidatory  beahviour on the part of those  "unknown" men,  we believe,  indicates an intolerance of  Dr Ranjith's freedom  to express  his opinion, his involvement in the campaign against the privatization of university education and his trade union activities.

The free expression of thoughts and freedom for involvement in trade union activities is a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution in Sri Lanka and human rights charter of the United Nations.

If the government is moving on the right path, needless to say, it ought to recognize the contribution of the academics of our universities, however unpalatable their ideas might be to some of our politicians. Moreover, it ought to further promote the freedom of thought and expression which are fundamental principles of democracy and good governance. The failure in this regard only indicates the Government's aversion to democracy and good governance.    

Therefore, we who met on the 25^th resolved to kindly request your Excellency as the Executive President of our country to hold an impartial inquiry into this matter as  reported in the media and ensure security to Dr. Nirmal Rajith and respect his role as an academic and his freedom to carry out his duties as a free citizen and as a trade union leader.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Fr.Sarath Iddamalgoda.

Fr. Sathivel.

Fr. Terrence Fernando.

Fr. Sherard Jayawardene.

Fr. Anton Jayananda

Fr. Bernard Rehart.

Fr. Nandana Saparamadu.

Sr. Helen Fernando.

Sr. Noel Christine Fernando.

Sr. Angela Fernando.

Sr. Deepa Fernando.

Sr. Kathleen Fleming.

Mr. Mahinda Namal.

Mr. Nimal Perera.

Mr. Ralston Weiman.

Ms. Melani Manel Perera.

Mr. Lal Fernando.

Mr. Roshani Fernandopulle

--

Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda

Mobile -  +94 (0) 71 4 315124
siddamal.blogspot.com

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The CSM meeting with the CMRS.

First we wish to thank Fr. Rassiah, the President of the CRMS for granting us this opportunity to meet you all. Our delegation is feeling quite at ease with you because we already observe the presence of some of our members who are regular at our meetings around this table.

Next we would like to introduce ourselves. We are an ecumenical group consisting of several Churches like the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist consisting of Sinhalese and Tamil members, formed in the year 2004. We intend to meet the heads of those Churches too. CSM consists of members from several religious congregations, male and female and also devoted laymen /women.

As a Christian group all of us strongly believe that our Faith demands that we commit ourselves to Justice. Therefore, all the members are committed activists in various fields. The committee of the conveners of the CSM, meet every first Monday and the general membership gathers on special occasions. 

You might wonder why we made this request. 

We decided to meet you because:

• ·         In our view we recognize the Major Superiors’ Conference as a very important counterpart of Church hierarchy.
• ·         As a group of activists we find ourselves in a helpless situation in the present context of the country. The daily challenges we face are too heavy to cope with. As such, we need the guidance and support of the Church leaders.
• ·         In general the church leadership today seems to be lagging behind or shirking its responsibility of being a prophetic Church, at a time when the country expects their intervention most.  So we wish the CMRS to play a more active role in that direction.
• 
  
• In the past we have been engaged in the following activities:
• ·         Organized exposure programs in Wanni for people from the South to help them to know the impact of the war.
• ·         Regular visits were made to the North and East and held discussions with the priests and also with the civil society leaders to study the national issue from their point of view.
• ·         Educated the public by distributing leaflets and holding banners in the towns of Negombo, Kandana, Jaela and collecting donations from them for the displaced and war affected people.
• ·         Prayer services have been held in the Anglican cathedral, Fatima church, and Blessed Sacrement Church in Pettah.
• ·         At every Christmas and Easter we prepared literature intended to explain  the current context in the light of the scriptures.
• ·         Made public statement to the press.
• ·         A live-in seminar was held in Maggona for about 60 persons.
• ·         Organized a public demonstration against the 18^th amendment to the constitution.
• ·         Conducted a public awareness programme on the crisis in the universities, problems of people in Colombo who are threatened with displacement, people in the North and fishermen. 
• ·         Held several educational programs in various places on LLRC

Despite of all these efforts, the political and the economic situation in the country is worsening. But the Sri Lankan Church leaders seem to be complacent and observe a profound silence on these urgent matters which demand the intervention of the Church. For instance, we could not understand the silence of the Church leadership in the case of Bishop Rayappu. 

We feel that silence is not a healthy sign.  The Church cannot renounce its prophetic role. It has to raise its voice against discrimination, corruption at high level and degradation of moral life in our society.

The school system of education is an area where many clergymen and women are already involved but the quality of education is fast deteriorating. It is our suggestion that CMRS engage in a serious and systematic study about the education system in the country and contribute to make it more relevant to the younger generation.  

Another proposal we would like to suggest is to organize a monitoring and fact finding mission related to violation of human rights, using the Church network. 

There are instances when individuals whose lives are threatened contact us seeking a place of refuge. Can the church be of any help to them? We are aware that some you are already involved in this service.

During our reflections we realized that if we have your support in our work, we could do a better service. Further we are aware also that each congregation and the CMRS have Justice Desks or a team to work on Justice issues. As such, we wish to know whether you have an action plan to respond to the urgent issues in the country. Can there be a closer collaboration between us? On our part we are happy to extend to you our cooperation for any work at the grassroots level.

Thank you.

Christian Solidarity Movement