NAFSO and
STP-Swiss based agency are working with various communities for the economic, social and cultural
rights[ESC-Rights] as well as civil and political rights in Sri Lanka. We promote
sustainable livelihoods and the well being of the communities who are depending
on natural resources in Sri Lanka. One of the main areas of threats to their
life and livelihoods is the eviction of people from their own lands and the
denial of the access to the Sea. The evicted people are often displaced
internally and being marginalized by the society. The denial of the access to
the sea endangers the livelihood of the Sri Lankan fishermen. One of the
reasons is that the current economic development model which promotes tourism as
the main economic income neglects the rights of the coastal and fishing communities.
STP conducted a
survey together with NAFSO on tourism and human rights in Sri Lanka and came up with a report which
highlighted a necessity of a strong policy intervention to protect the
communities who are depending on natural resources particularly on land. The report which was published last year can be found here: http://assets.gfbv.ch/downloads/report_sri_lanka_english.pdf. As a follow up
action of the research work we conducted a Round Table Dialogue which we found
useful as many stakeholders of the tourism development participated. Representatives
from affected communities, civil society actors including NGOs, trade union
leaders, religious leaders as well as hoteliers, other representatives of the
business community, policy makers and representatives from diplomatic missions
attended the dialogue which was held in Colombo in June 2015.
Similar attempt was launched this year too and the community mobilization process was implemented in KKS, Kuchchaweli, Kalpitiya and Passikuda communities.
After series of mobilization campaign, the Round Table Dialogue was organized with all possible actors in the Tourism Business as well as the officials, policy makers, and the communities affected by tourism.
Some photographs are added to the blog and will upload the full report soon.
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