NAFSO is leading land rights campaign among affected people around the country. Kalpitiya fisherfolk communities affected by tourism zone in Kalpitiya is one of the area where we work. Irudeniyaya communities around 13 villages affected with the proposed elephant corridor from Kahalla- Pallakele wild life sanctary to Hakwatuna oya reservoir. Mullikulam community affected with militarization and then tourism promotion in the area. Negombo people affected from tourism promotion and islands of the lagoon are being occupied by investors. Simillarly, Paanama people in the east coast are face military threats at the begining and now the issue is same as many other places. The military occupied land now converted to tourism and Paanama Lagoon Cabana is running by Navy with super class rates.
All these places, it is farmers, fishers, fish workers and women are the worst hit with these activities.
How to face these issues is our dilemma. But this should not undermine the brave and committed engagements of Somasiri, Dinesh, Pathmanathan, Suba, Kumari, Shirani, Abey, Saman and many men & women in those places.
Today we brought those leaders together to find ways to build up strong unity and to face the challenges through collective actions.
Shirani, a woman leader of Negombo said "it is important to educate youth to take leadership against injustices."
Dinesh from Kalpitiya was in the view that "Oppression and misleading every where. Find way to go forward with creative ways of people actions is very critical in this process."
Abey an experienced leader from irudeniyaya says " it is the responsibility of the government to protect the livelihoods and to ensure life of the people. But, we see today how our own government pressurise its people."
So it is time to understand each others issues and mediate with commitment.
0 comments:
Post a Comment