Mannar District people who suffers with several tough issues gathered on 11th Oct, to strengthen their fight which started after end of war in 2009. Resettlement issues, land ownership issues, livelihood issues in fisheries sector and agriculture was main concerns of the people.
215 families waiting in huts built in Manankadu forest area till they receive the authorization of the government to get settled in their original village in Mullikulam. The subjected area have been acquired by the government to use as Navy camp. But the people in a struggle to claim their lands which lived for generations.
Encroachments of sea and grabbing ocean resources by Indian fishers with destructive fishing practices like trawling is another plague they suffering from. Around 1000 to 2500 trawlers come to the territorial waters of Sri Lanka in each day. The mannar district fishers are the most affected by this issue.
there were about 50 persons to talk about those issues and to plan, actions with more strength. The people who participated to the program, were enthusiast with the participation of Mannar district bishop, Raayappu Joseph and several other fathers.
Rev.Fr. Raayappu Joseph speaking to the audience, "Today Tamils are disregarded in North and East, they cant speak their issues, there are so many barriers to the life of Tamils, lands are invaded by the army, there is no body to talk about this issue, the person who talk about those kinds of issues are receiving threats, Fishers can not do their job. People who displaced from war, still are not in their lands or original village, as examples we can mention Mullikulam and Pallimunei.
We have to tell the world that we still facing the same issues even after the war. It will be not enough doing of small kinds of work to get resolved these issues, we have to get together, go to streets and shout loudly about our issues, then the world hear it in many languages. but the people who suffer must take the lead."
Village representatives speaks to the audience and raise their issues related to lands and food sovereignty. Representatives from Mullikulam, Pallimunei, Pesalei, Thaleimannar, Thirukeswaram, Arippu, Panankattukettu were among the speakers.
Rev.Fr. Raayappu Joseph speaking to the audience, "Today Tamils are disregarded in North and East, they cant speak their issues, there are so many barriers to the life of Tamils, lands are invaded by the army, there is no body to talk about this issue, the person who talk about those kinds of issues are receiving threats, Fishers can not do their job. People who displaced from war, still are not in their lands or original village, as examples we can mention Mullikulam and Pallimunei.
We have to tell the world that we still facing the same issues even after the war. It will be not enough doing of small kinds of work to get resolved these issues, we have to get together, go to streets and shout loudly about our issues, then the world hear it in many languages. but the people who suffer must take the lead."
Village representatives speaks to the audience and raise their issues related to lands and food sovereignty. Representatives from Mullikulam, Pallimunei, Pesalei, Thaleimannar, Thirukeswaram, Arippu, Panankattukettu were among the speakers.
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