Land Issue WS at Praja Abilasha

Last few days,14-17th December, we were totally busy and we are exhausted right now as we engage the finalizing the Land Issues action plan for the year 2010 on Praja Abhilasha network.
We were expected 35 for the same and around 28 presented the program.
Unfortunate thing is there was not much people representation though the activists presented there representing people.
The main out come of the WS is to preparation of the Work Plan for the year 2010 as mentioned. We allocated some substantial time for evaluate the year 2009 and to plan out the coming year.
We assessed the progress of the 6 ain issues we are dealing with under the Land issue and work towards collectiveness of the Land coalition among affected.
What we learnt form the evaluation is that we are not gone to the extent we expected during the yaer, though we have completed the work according to the work plan.
Rev.Thomas John from CHethana India, the PHP related land network representative attended as a resource person while sectoral representatives shared the progress of each sector.
Natural Diasasters-K.D.M.C.Wimalarathne,
Human Elephant Co-existance- Priyankara Costa,
Land Tenure-K.S.S.A. Francis,
Tsunami DIsplacement- Saranapala de Silva,
Development Displacement-Sugala Kumarie,
War displacement-Antony Jesudasan,
Were the key players to present the case of the each sectoral work.
The most important decision is to complete the 200,000 signature campaign by subitting the signatures to the Presidential canddates at a seminar organize by the PA network by 12 January 2010.
The preparation of memorandum, selection of the key presentors from people, moderators, and also Jayathilake Bandara's Sadhu Jana Rawaya are some of the items at the 12th meeting.

I felt that we had a serious discussions and came out a workable and practical work plan for the year 2010.

Herman Kumara