The struggle of people at Rathupaswela for weeks against the
factory which has polluted the drinking wells in the area, culminated in three
deaths of young people as a result of shooting by the army personnel.
The three dead were two students and a young worker who took
shelter inside the Church premises. Today the case regarding this matter was to
be heard at the Gampaha magistrate courts but was postponed for some reasons.
Both, the deprivation of sources of drinking water to the
villagers and the killings of two students returning home after school and a
young worker returning home after work and causing gunshot injuries to many others,
were acts of severe injustices and therefore they have to be condemned without
any reservation.
Having realized the gravity of this matter the members
visited the area on several occasions to meet people and to explore the
possibilities for involvement by CSM to support the cause of the victims of
these injustices. The CSM was informed also that the villagers of Rathupaswela
and Weliveriya are now like the “sheep without shepherds” and that the presence
of the members of the clergy will be greatly appreciated specially by the
Catholic community in Weliveriya.
So last Monday one decision among a few others was to attend
the hearing at courts on the 8th November as a sign of our solidarity
with the victims. It was heartening that 15 members of the Christian clergy (5
men and 10 women) were present at the court premises. However, there was a
feeling of sadness in everyone when informed that the case has been postponed.
Yet, seeing the importance witnessing to value of Justice
and being present with the victims, everyone agreed to come again on the next
day of the hearing.
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