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
