Good Governance Government began their role to Play: Blocked Paanama people's direct action through Police

28th Nov 2015, Paanama Paththu Protection Organization[PPPO] has proposed to go to their own village Sasthrawela and Ragamwela village which was released as a cabinet decision on 11th Feb , 2015. Even the Cabinet decided to release the land, people are unable to return to their own village until now. Therefore the PPPO has handed over a letter to Divisional Secretary, District Secretary, Police, media personals, politicians, NGOs and other stake holder mentioning their direct actions on 28th November. In the letter, PPPO was seeking the support from the above mentioned authorities and institutions in order to go back to their origin village peacefully through this letter. Thus , Police has taken an injunction order from Pottuvil Magistrate court through convincing the magistrate that the people are going back to their village forcefully would create the public nuisance , there will be killings and threat to the lives of the people, at the same time it affect the National security due to people attack Navy and Air Force camps around the area. Although, Paanama People sought the support from many authorities including police, but they have taken the banning order without caring the respectful the invitation of PPPO which was clearly mentioned the objective of peaceful resettlement and no violence at all. Due to the banning order, people of Panaama decided to postpone their demonstration. But people assembled in the Paanama Buddhist Temple and discussed about the next step. P. Somasiri, the organizer of the PPPO has leaded the discussion which was facilitated by NAFSO and PA team. Somasri explained the people about the banning order and how it received by him. Further he said that 30th November, there will be a meeting called from DS office to discuss about their land and resettlement at Ampara district secretariat office.The PPPO has decided to attend the meeting and Five people need to take part at the meeting along with Rev. Chandrarathana, the Buddhist monk of the Paanama Temple. Five people will represent from the villages of Ragamwela, Sashtrawela, Ulpassa, Egodayaya and Horekanda. NAFSO team explained the similar case happened on 15th July last year, once the southern people gathered at Jaffna in order to support northern people on their land issue. Here people discussed and decided to challenge the banning order during the police report submitting to the court as it was done in Jaffna . During the meeting Somasiri talked to their lawyer who is from Akkaraipattru and mentioned the issue and seek his support. Lawyer agreed to proceed to support PPPO. The lawyer guided the people to get the date for counter report submit via registrar in Pottuvil magistrate court. At the same time, there will be a process for collecting information at the meeting on 30th November and Soamsiri needs to get the information widely circulate by 30th November 2015. In addition, there will be a media briefing organized immediately after the meeting at DS office on 30th Nov 2015. At the same time, Paanama people need to know the outcome of the 30th November meeting hence meeting will be organized on 1st December to explain the situation.. In addition to this, Somasiri explained how the Police personal came to Paanama village and what they told the people. “Police forcefully threatened to people not to attend any demonstration or Not to Go to their villages of Ragamvila and Sasthrawela.” The Police had explained that they have taken a banning order from Pothuwil court against the event. “If any villager attempt to attend these agitation will be arrested and b punished”. So people were nervous and didn’t come to the meeting as well. After the 08th January, once NAFSO/PA organize meetings in Paanama, there were more than 100 people gather at the temple. However, yesterday there were only 30 people gathered at the temple those who have the courage to face the challenges only attended the meeting. Police personnel , Criminal Investigation department officers , National Investigation Beureau officers and certain places some military officers also were engaging patrolling and surveillance throughout the Arugambe area and Paanama –Pothuwil road. Police personals have come and inquired our driver about us (who are they, where they came from etc. are some of the matters inquired by the security personnel). However, he responded he is a new driver so he doesn’t know about us and the purpose). At the same time, CID personal asked the driver. “Did Herman Kumara come? We know him”. Driver had said “No he didn’t come”. Two police officers have come and asked Francis Raajan, the coordinator, Praja Abhilasha network, “Are there any lawyers here?” He said “no” after that police left the place. In addition, Police has approached to a woman in the meeting at temple and asked. “What are the names of the people who came from Colombo?” She has replied, “You find them yourselves as you find all the other information”. Furthermore Francis Raajan has explained people, the importance of continues mobilizations unless there will be a favorable decision communicated to people, once people met the officers at Ampara DS office on 30th November. The PPPO members who attended the meeting had agreed to mobilize the people door to door by themselves because Somasiri cannot do it alone although he did it in the past. Also people felt the security of Somasiri’s life is important and need to think about it. Report Prepared by Francis Raajan.- 28th November 2015 Edited by Herman Kuamra -29th November, 2015