Paanama people won their long struggle for their land. New cabinet had decided hand over people's land area of 340 acres in Ragamvela, Sasthrawela in Paanama.
G. Somasiri of the leader of Panampattuwa Protection Organization said, "this is a great victory of our land struggle. Our people committed to get our land back amidst all the threats. We are gratitude to all who supported to us. This is a collective effort and great victory. "
Paanana people were forcefully evicted from their lands since 2007 and were displaced till today. Paanama people formed Paanamapattu Protection Organization and carried out their campaign for get their land back. They were able to change the power of Lahugala Regional Council and elected UNP in it as a part of their protest against land grabbing.
Further they went up to the Supreme court and filed a case too. Importantly the decisions of human rights commission were also in favor of Paanama people though the military and those engaged in hotel construction did not respect those recommendations of the HR commision.
Somasiri was brave enough to articulate their issuez in many occassions. He was one of the key speaker at the Civil Society forum of handing over people's reform proposals to common candidate on 10th December 2014, at World Fisheries Day on 21st November and also at the People's Tribunal on Land Issues on 31 January 2012.
Today there was a celebration organized at Paanama Rajamaha Vihara in which many politicians with Daya Gamage, the opposition leader of Eastern provincial council, the Nayaka thero of Paanama Rajamaha Viharaya and many more attended the occassion. NAFSO/PA collegues were among the Paanama people at the victorious celebrations.
Somasiri was highly appreciated those who engaged the land campaign and helped them along the struggle.
Nalaka Rosairo, NAFSO Policy Advocacy coordinator while addressing the event said, "this is very unique experience and important example of people's commitment, determination and bravery of young leadership as well as cooperation of parties to people's struggle. This is how people exercise their unity to win over people's struggles. This is a good lesson for social.movement."
We are join in hand with Paanama people in this victorious moment too., added Rosairo at the meeting.
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