Page 1
Report of the Field visit of NAFSO/ Praja Ab
RESETTLEME AFFECTED ID
NO. 10, MALWATTA ROAD,

hilasha Network/ Rights Now/ PCHR team at - Northern & Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka
Going Behind The
Camouflages: NT OF THE WAR Ps IN SRI LANKA
2012
NEGOMBO - SRI LANKA

Page 2


Page 3
GOING BE
CAMOU
Resettleme
affected IDPs
Field Report on Resettlement - N
11-14 July 2012
Francis Raajan —Praja Abhi
Pradeep Laksiri Fernando — National l
Akhila Nawarathne - Rights NC
Nuwan Pradeep Subasinghe — PCHIR
NO 10, MALWATTA ROA Tel. +94-31-22 39750, Fax. -

HIND THE
FLAGES:
ht of the War
S in Sri Lanka
orthern Province of Sri Lanka.
ilasha Network
Fisheries Solidarity Movement NAFSO
)W
D, NEGOMBO, SRI LANKA. --94-314 870 658

Page 4


Page 5
Con
Introduction
Sampoor: A people's Experience of falling fron
Ceasefire Agreement, Mavilaru attacks and Sar
Coal power plant, High Security Zone, Special
Sampoor Displacement and the background
The Resettlement Process
What is the Present Situation of IDPs of Sampo
Current details of Sampoor IDPs who are living
What are the existing alternatives for the people
What are the LLRC report recommendations of
What are NAFSO/Praja Abhilasha Experiences
Organizations Providing Support to Sampoor p
The Thirumurugandi resettlement process
Moor Street: Place of concern on Muslim return
The situation of the First Street Camp
The relationship between the camp and the mili
Communication between the camps and outers
Overall demands of the people
Some other areas of Muslim people resettled aft
Case study
A story of Displaced people in Sri Lanka
What do the recommendations of the LLRC say
Conclusion

tents
n a heaven to hell
mpoor People
Economic Zone and the Sampoor people
or?
in the welfare camps
?
n Sampoor people?
with Sampoor People?
eople
1ᎾᎾS
tary forces
ociety
e" W2"
10
12
13
14
15
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
22
27
29

Page 6


Page 7
Introduction
When you read the field visit report of the resettlem will realize the reality of the so called resettleme Mullikulam, displaced camps as well as so called Th places where we visited in this field work.
"It is well planned revenge against us." This is some members in the northern province and which is an northern province IDPs when the government is not reasonable aspirations with due respect and care.
Some of the people in those camps said, "Governn group of IDP like us to resettle in the country."
The government very firmly says that there the mos Small number of people are remaining to resettle in th also trust highly those media reports without any d media as well though this is not the time to discuss it,
The brutal war which ended up more than 3 years ag. arms and GOSL very proudly says, there is Peace pr about this peace as whether this is a sustainable pe development is the only challenge in front of the col There are so many errors, mistakes on the resettlem building up ethnic harmony and reconciliation, b development are some of the challenges ahead of us.
The brutal war caused to serious damage to the unc human dignity, freedom, and independence. This wa our society. As it see, the conflict has been solved inc Have we addressed any of the root causes? There solutions to the conflict unless we take measures to a
We were observed numerous complex areas of the re minorities in the country, the Tamils and Muslims a During the war, those people were the worst hit ar mentioned, that when a bomb blast in a bus in the
people who were lived in the N/E villages. So, thos safety. Protect their children from shells, bombs, at situation of the people when they are living in the ID)

)
ent of the Internally Displaced People IDPs) you all nt scheme of the country. Uduppitty, Moor Street, iru Murugandi, and Sinnaveli resettled camps are the
of the complains we heard from various community unfortunate situation. It is justifiable criticism of the take care of those people, their needs and fulfill their
nent act deliberately forgetting there is a remaining
t of IDPs have been resettled and there is only very he north. The general public in the south of Sri Lanka loubts. There is a big question mark about the free
o. The GOSL military forces defeated LTTE through evailing in the country. But, there is a question mark ace or not. As almost all the politicians say, is the Intry? There are number of challenges in front of us. ent process of the IDPs., accountability of the war, uilding sustainable peace and also infra structure
:ompromised, undeniable rights of people's security, as a structural collapse and break down of values in W. But, the root cause of the conflict is still remains. is no any trust for success of the activities for find ddress the root causes.
2settlement of the IDPs. Though we report the ethnic re the majority in the North and East of the country. ld directly affected due to war. Even LLRC report South, there were rain of shells on the heads of the e people vacated their own lands searching for their ttacks from both the sides. How can we justify the P camps up to today?

Page 8
In this context, some of the people are living in te They do not have any land to settle today. But, the agriculture for their livelihood. Some of the famili period. Even though, they were given their previous been increased. At the same time, the land which
powerful people. Otherwise, their lands become rui study the impact of Palali high security Zone on li province. We admit there should be measures fo alternative, keeping the people in the Welfare cam ethical question in front of the Sri Lankan society to freedom of people, pressurizing the free will of peop
There were several difficulties observed in the IDP lack of water facilities, poor security facilities, br hygienic facilities, issues of housing and land, the p environment of the camps for physical and mental he are living under tents. They are cooking under the tri Such community in Our country.
Is it the meaning of real resettlement that the dro However, Thiru Murugandi is one clear example of
to their original village and call it resettlement sch properties become ruins. Is it the real resettlement,
structure for basic requirements, no education, no IDPs were taken to a land, where there is land with C it is resettlement?
However, We as a nation can go forward if we can are affected, if we are committed to the issues of the It is a fact that our society is not caring others gri situation, how do we expect that our country will mo

)
mporary welfare camps more than 20 years by now. :ame people had some land for their living as well as es have extended more than one family during this land, this is not adequate as number of families have were belong to those people have been captured by ned and abandoned lands. However, we were able to ves of IDPs in the temporary camps in the northern ir national Security. But, even without giving any ps is unjust and unethical situation. There is a big lay. It is debatable, how ethical that the grabbing the le to live in a place where they are willing to live.?
camps. Difficulties to provide food for the people, eak down of children's education, poor health and oor conditions of the existing houses, as well as the :alth of the affected communities. Some of the people 2es. The Mullikulam people are one of an example of
Dpping of the people in their original village? No. it. Some of the families among hundreds were taken eme. The area is covered with forests and people's without providing any house, also lack of any infra hygiene facilities and dropping people in a jungle.? only the boundaries and it is in the jungle, can We say
voice out for the grievances of the other people who poor and needy. However, it is not happening today. evances. Our Society is polarized seriously. In Such ve forward with strong base of humanity?

Page 9
Sampoor: A People's Experience
In 2012, members of the National Fisheries Sol /PCHR/ Rights Now Sri Lanka visited the dis Divisional Secretariat of Trincomalee District in a result of that visit.
EImalia
Hart
jampon
asoodatkudla Diwist
*Koonithyu
藤整靈聯業
Karriere
Samportant
Peres
納須無所不在
entrefi
Sampoor is a traditional Tamil village that who live there consider their village to be bless Sampur is ‘perfect living habitat, with all of t livelihoods of the people of Sampoor have bee pulses, fish, milk and firewood to neighbouring According to the Government Census of 2008 7,494 individuals. All the residents are Tamil; Catholic faith. The villagers of Sampoor have i ethnic conflict; their final displacement was in 2 to be a High Security Zone (HSZ) and their retu from Sampoor whose homes and property are continued to live in temporary and transit shelte in close proximity to their original homes, for ov plant with collaboration from the government o area which also falls into the Special Econor authorities in Trincomalee.

of 'falling from a haven to hell' sidarity (NAFSO) /Praja Abhilasha Network (PA) placed communities of Sampoor, in the Mutur the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. This report is
Fayot beest
SAMPOOR HIGH SECURITY ZONE
Red Ara
Saunday H2
Lapaan
Saeimas Radka ard Carthveiklacs sau
春道西部是蒙特是普納是構部特產都得
abounds in diverse natural resources, and those sed by nature. In fact, the colloquial meaning of he basic things for a good life'. The traditional En fishing and agriculture. They provided grain, communities and to the national markets. B, 1940 families lived in Sampoor, comprising
some of them are Hindu, others belong to the Eaced displacement several times because of the 006. Since then, 5000 acres of land was declared urn to their homes was prevented. Some families e within the area designated as an HSZ have rs, primarily in Kiliveddy and Kattaiparichchan, per 5 years. There are plans to build a coal power f India, and also some factories in the Sampour mic Zone designated by the local government
VeIII

Page 10
Sampoor In the context of the conflict Being a Tamil village located within the con government's security forces and the armed fig in the conflict and its people have suffered the in area has experienced mass arrests, invasion and the burning of homes and property. From Aug military activity around Sampoor. Yet, in spite military offensives, Sampoor remained intact as occupied themselves in the production of foc neighbouring areas, while the conflict was going In 1987, for the first time the government expre establish a military base in Sampoor. However, Peace accord which led to a brief period of peace the area.
Following the outbreak of fresh hostilities in 199 power of the area shifted to the LTTE from the closed in 1966, after the conclusion of the Jaya S true to summarize here that when the governme area, the LTTE re-established its power in the
war of 2006 when the LTTE was phased out from military forces.
CeaseFire Agreement , Mavilaru attack In 2002, when the GOSL and LTTE signed th throughout the north and east changed drasti established their Police Headquarters and the Po. the Sampoor area. During this period Sampoor international circles. Government politicians and been visiting the area with regular frequency.
The first air offensive in the area was triggere Commander General Sarath Fonseka in Colomb Veththilakerney and Sinhala civilians at Kebit targeted Sampoor again. In 2006, Govt. military of the Sampoor people began to occur more stead Repeated air attacks by government forces comp homes and possessions behind. They believed operations would soon cease and they would be hindrance or obstacle. These hopes were shatte from their ancestral families or acquired from the farms and farming and fishing implements - had

flict zones of the protracted war between the ghters of the LTTESampoor has been caught uip evitable consequences for almost 20 years. The capture of entire village communities, and also ust 27 to September 4, 2006, there was intense E of prevalent ethnic animosity, civil riots and - a village community and the inhabitants there od resources and providing skilled labour to
on. . essed an interest in the area, with a proposal to the idea was shelved due to the Indo-Sri Lankan e during which the military forces had to vacate
90, the 'Eelam War', it became evident that the GOSL. The final military camp in the area was ikurul military operation. It is therefore fair and ent'smilitary forces phased out of the Sampoor
area until their ultimate defeat by the vigorous a the area with little or least damage to the Govt.
s and Sampoor People: ne Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), the situation cally. In the previous years, the LTTE had litical Secretariat of the Trincomalee District in - had become known among certain local and d members of foreign diplomatic missions had
ed by a suicide bomber's attack on the army -0. In response, the LTTE attacked the Navy at chigollawa; further air raids by GOSL forces
forces captured the area, and the displacement ily and forcefully. elled the villagers to flee the area, leaving their that, as the CFA was still in effect, military able to return to their original habitat without red. All the belongings they had accumulated ir hard-earned family income - homes, livestock to be permanently abandoned; even their public

Page 11
(:
facilities such as hospitals and schools fell withi people of Sampoor became utterly helpless, clothing, food, and or any means for survival, before.
In September 2006, a group of media personne media journalist in one newspaper of 10 Septem search operations after capture of the area, but civil properties." Our visit made it clear to us t that not only the homes, livestock and farmland buildings including the public hospital of Sampo structures of these buildings stand to this day, Offensive
Coal Power Plant, High Security Z Sampoor People
After the government forces captured the Sampc Plant to be built there with support from the Go Notice, the Government declared the Sampoor even former residents from entering the restri secured Cabinet approval to allocate and nomina Zone. These hasty enactments led the inhabit community would be stripped of hereditary c ownership to property and belongings.
In August 2009 (just 3 months after conclusion reported that 5000 acres of land have been all failed to disclose was that more than 500 houses prior notification or consent from their rightf producers in the area. This is a clear violation of

5)
n the military controlled territory. As a result, the lacking the basic necessities including shelter, irrespective of what they had earned or gained
il were brought by the army to visit the area. A hber 2006: "The only damage in the area is from of least damage to houses, Schools, hospital and that were irresponsible claims. The fact remains of the village community, but even government or was demolished during this time. The skeletal still and hollow, silent witness to the wipe-out
one, Special Economic Zone and the
or area, plans were announced for a Coal Power vt. of India. Within a few weeks of this Gazette area a High Security Zone, thereby prohibiting cted territory. Soon thereafter the government te the Surrounding region as a Special Economic tants of Sampoor to rightly conclude that the laims to their land in spite of their ancestral
of the final offensive) certain local newspapers ocated for a coal power plant. What the media had to be destroyed for this purpose without any ful owners who at the time were major food property rights

Page 12
The gravity and illegality of Such unethical con manner in which land, which rightfully belongs illegally transferred and allocated to a third-par government allocated the area for building the c false pretext that there is no public claim to the l government acquired the land of the Sampoor pe project, no assessment of its impact on the surrounding areas people and no assessment of th invite and conduct public discussion, or share a acquition and proposed development of the area by these changes.
There is a general understanding among people
existing land laws and regulations; they believe national development program for the greater be be done without attempts being first made to inf
Sampoor Displacement and the background:
People had lived in Sampoor with freedom and people were displaced, and left to Veera Mahana to shelling.The villagers then moved to Lankapa
 

SAMPUR
duct is one more example of the undemocratic to a poor community of farmers and fishers, is ty as a government-sponsored enterprise. The :oal power plant to Indian authorities under the and. No formalities had been followed when the eople. There was no cost benefit analysis of the well being of the villagers in Sampoora and he environmental impact. No effort was made to and disseminate information regarding the land with communities that would be most affected
that there is no credible, valid reason to violate that even if there is a proposal to implement a nefit and welfare of the country, this should not Drm the public of such plans.
prosperity. Due to one bomb blast at Colombo, gar. After one month, that village was subjected ttinam, their third displacement.

Page 13
TEHNI
One of the Kovils which is abandoned ifampoo
aerial bombing. Life here was very difficult. Th Batticoloa. At the Welikanda army camp, some December 2006, the people from Sampoor were various camps in Batticoloa, in Palame Sathurukondan, Kokkuvil, Palacholai, Navet. Alankulam, and Vinayakpuram.
The resettlement process:
Signing of Joint Venture and Shareholder Agreement for Establishment
2x250 MW Coal-fired Power Plant at Trincomale
6* September 2011
Colombo
food rations to people who refused to return.
As one villager from Sampoor said: "We had so to Batticaloa town. Then the authorities aske consensus among the people about that. We told go, otherwise we do not want to go. But they ser time they beat us and pushed us on to the buses,
They checked us at Verugal and took photos e the place where we could stay. This is the same resettle people displaced by the HSZ. The peop

While they were in Lankapattinam, the bridge to that village was destroyed by an aerial bomb, and 60-70 people were killed. The people then moved on to Vakarai, traveling on foot and on bicycles. There was no other transport available. The LTTE did not allow them to travel along the road so at some stages they had to abandon their bicycles and walk through the jungle. Once they got to
Vakarai, they were subjected to more e people then tried to leave, again, and move to of them were arrested; others were released. By e living as internally displaced persons (IPDs) in cenmadu, Sahera, Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya, zerni, Manjalthoduwa, Soukady, Eiyenkerney,
In the middle of 2007 the government began to organise a resettlement process without consultation with the villagers. there was some resistance because the villagers were not confident that it was safe to return. The people from Sampoor were told that they had to return to Trincomalee District if they wanted any resettlement support. The government began to pressure them, including by suspending the issue of
me freedom at Batticaloa as we were lived close d us to return to Trincomalee. There was no - them "If you send us to our own village we will nt the army and forced us to go back. At the first then the others followed with fear".
of us. They took us to Chinnakulam and this was
place that the government had earlier wanted to ble refused this at that time and refused it now.

Page 14
They settled at Kattaiparichchan, close to Samp and said they could not support this; so far no suj came to Kattaiparichchan and built their house
The people told us: 'In this kind of a hut, we car years and this is how we have been existing.. T find continue in our places'.
The Government is not giving any support to officials, they do not think about how to re-settle concern about the people's issues. There is no which is a transit camp where some people from no water, no toilets. It is an inhuman situation h
What is the present situation of IDPs of
Today, the people of Sampoor are displaced. displaced from Sampoor that are in Kilivetty, for over 5 years, enduring immense hardship, 1 have moved to live with families elsewhere. Son Sampoor to re-settle in Iralkulam and Iththikul resources and there is easy access to water for ag
the areas that have been proposed for resettler land, which floods and remains submerged for p is not even 100 acres that is suitable for pac cultivated 1000 of acres of land resettle in an are: other hand in Iththikulam there is no water even !
Furthermore, there is no drinking water availab agriculture. How could agriculture be carried out

Door. The Divisional Secretary was not pleased pport has been given from 2007 onwards. People 5 themselves'.
1 survive for only 6 months. But, now it is 2 1/2 his is too bad. This is the kind of situation you
these people and to these communities. The : people with their consent. They don'thow any
humanitarian assistance at all. In Kilivetty camp,
Sampoor were temporarily re-settled, there was ere. Humanity has been murdered here.
"Sampoor?
Most of them have lived in 4 transit camps for Pattiththidal, Manatchenai and Kattaparichchan humiliation and mental depression. Only a few he government officials have forced people from am areas. While Sampoor abounds in natural riculture, animal husbandry and fishing,,
ment are entirely different. Iralkulam is marshy rolonged periods during the rainy season. There Gdy cultivation. How would rice farmers who a where there is no land for rice farming? On the when one digs 40-50 feet deep into the ground.
-le for human use, leave alone for farming and
in such unsuitable conditions?

Page 15
Current details of Sampoor IDP camps
No
Details
Kilivetti
Patt
01.
Number of families
614[584]
198[
| 02.
Population
1872
671
| 03.
Widows
136
38
04.
Abandoned women
40
10
05.
Over 65 years old
99
37
06.
Students
450
168
| 07.
45
42
Nursery children Pregnant mothers
08.
17
07
| 09.
Feeding mothers
50
30
10.
Disabled
31
08
| 11.
Parentless Children.
08
P3 83 a 5 a 3 a 5 a = a %
10
| 12.
Permanent patients
29
08
| 13.
109
20
Famers families Animal husbandry
| 14.
86
32
15.
Fisher men
45
28
16.
| Small job holders
191
38
17.
Labourers
71
30
18.
Government employees
74
21
Source: Village Leaders Report December 2011, [

Ps who are living in the welfare
ciththidal
Manatchena
Kattaiparichcha
Total
n.
[223]
61[70]
389[342]
1262
224
1269
4036
12
70
256
01
35
86
15
250
401
15
225
918
15
58
160
03
14
41
15
42
137
06
02
47
s al a 8 a 3 : : 1 a 2 |
06
*a a 8 8 8 8 = 8 9 e
07
31
06
09
52
20
105
234
230
163
16
71
316
18
34
153
02
43
140
NAFSO/ Praja Abhilasha Field Survey)

Page 16
The people of Sampoor who once owned thousa and form part of the displaced communities of S
Muttur area where they could find suitable government authorities have forcibly grabbed th living habitat in Sampoor, without providing alte
On 1 November 2007, the present Minister for released a press statement claiming that not a s and that the few people there were those who ! LTTE cadres, and that such families could not p which once belonged to them. This is a totally people displaced from Sampoor have lived in the
The stand taken by Tamil politicians has also displaced people resident in the camps. The Parli the Tamil National Alliance, MP Sambandan, is According to critical accusations by the displ: politicians should take strong action including le community. .
India has already acquired the land for the coal i foundation stone for the Coal power plant was la it is alleged are afraid to take any action, debate on behalf of the mass of displaced and silenced p
What are the existing alternatives for tt
Today the dominant question posed by affected not a single paddy field of even 250 acres left in able to provide 2,500 acres of cultivable padd displaced community? Meanwhile, more than 2 pathetically abandoned and isolated during and more than 8,000 households composed of ov unoccupied and undeniably useless, suffering 1 desperation and abandonment while living her community who have been spared death, within
Thoduwankulam, Ilakkandai, Naiyandei, Velan were told they could go for farming last Novei they should have begun work on the fields by C each acre of land land. There are some people compelled to share the land with others.

))
nds of acres of land have now become landless, ri Lanka. There is hardly any other place in the alternative land for resettlement. In short, e rich fishing and agricultural lands, forests and
native arrangements for its displaced people.
Economic Development, Mr. Basil Rajapakse ingle family has been removed from Sampoor, ad been located there for security purposes by rove their ownership nor identify a single house
baseless statement because the community of pse lands for generations.
Comm
not been helpful to address the issues of the amentarian of the area, who is also the leader of apparently not taking the issue seriously either. aced people of Sampoor, he and other Tamil gal interventions, and mediate on behalf of their
power plant and the Special Economic Zone. A Lid on 6 September 2011 while Tamil politicians these injustices in parliament or talk with India eople.
me people?
village communities of Sampoor is, if there is the entire Muttur area, how would the GOSL be y land to replace the land captured from the 2,500 acres of their productive paddy land lies - following the military offensive. As a result, er 2,000 families have become unproductive, che detrimental consequences of displacement, ded together with those of their families and five of the military camp enclosures in the area.
kulam, are areas where the displaced peoples mber. This was too late. For paddy cultivation, October. There are about 140 people allocated to
who owned more than one acre land who are

Page 17
—(1
Important major educational institutes that have
Maha Vidyalaya, Sampoor Sri Murugan So Soodekkudah Parathi College. It is further repo the premises belonging to the Sampoor Maha Vi
A few of the other prominent study centers and demolished in Sampoor are: Sri Badrakali Am Arasady Vinayagar Kovil, Kuniththivu Vinaya Kovil. The Soodaikkudah Mari Amman Kovil known Sampoor Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil
Naga Kovil has been demolished fully.
The million dollar question then is, where in i implement a national development project wh homes and their livelihoods., depriving their vicinity, and depriving people of access to 7 pla that has been discussed and agreed upon with the them a dignified life and livelihoods? Who woul of a community of our nation's valuable citiz minority community, who had the fortune to be should these innocent and hardworking peopl pressure of the LTTE militants, who for a brief p
Kadatkaraichchenai- A. Raveendramurthi, F
The tsunami of December 2004 affected our 2005 when the war began. No houses were bu available in the village. 310 families were resett resettled.'
The name of the village, Kadaikarachchenai, community. Now they are not allowed to fish I permits from the authorities in order to go int issue. Stake net fishery is allowed only in six pl for them to do some fishing activity. They also was lost during the displacement. They have a ZOA supplied 16 people with nets. Some anim: with the role played by politicians. They ask if people say politicians come only when they neec about the people's issues.
'We are long term, traditional fishermen. We tsunami also affected us and the government d agencies did lot to support us.

been affected in the area include the: Sampoor chool, Kuniththivu Navalar College, and the orted that an army camp has been established in
dyalaya.
Hindu temples (kovils) badly damaged or near bal Kovil, Sampoor Vinayagar Kovil, Sampoor -gar Kovil, Kuniththivu Vada Badrakali Ambal has been abandoned and lies in ruin. The well has been bombed and destroyed; the Sampoor
the world is there a country that would aim to ile forcibly displacing 8000 people from their children of access to 5 schools in the nearby ces of religious worship (Kovils) without a plan e affected communities and that would guarantee
d be held responsible for this wanton destruction ens? Need it be their destiny as members of a born in an area rich with natural resources? Why e be held hostage because they fell under the period happened to command control in the area?
Fisheries Coop. Chairman
village. We just started to rebuild 38 houses in ailt at all. After the war, there were no houses ed. There are another 48 families who need to be
means close to the shore. This is a fishing because of HSZ restrictions. People need to get
the sea. The authorities say, this is a security Laces, and another 15 places have been allocated
don't have any equipment for fishing Everything lso not been supported by many organizations. als were given to farmers. People are not happy there is any politician who will help them. The d their votes. All are selfish and have no concern
were affected by tsunami and also by war. The id not do anything. But other organizations and

Page 18
When the war came, everything was pushe Kadaikarachenai leader and we are fighting for they do not show any concern about our situation
It i dis
the bac
we
fan
HAKSIN
we
Tá kanthi
vill
are
Mr.Arumugam, the chair person, Nagara Trincomalee district.
"We cannot talk to anyone about this situation. fight for the rights and the existing Citizens' Com
A Person preferred to be anonymous due to i
"I am a Catholic by religion. Our priest told us village. We trust God is with us. As the Bible say Moses brought his people to their own land. We
Thelocal government authorities that people cor like these are also not able to help them. The D the Village Officer (Grama Sevaka - GS) communicating with the Sampoor people.
'The District Secretary (Govenrment Agent – District) told us not to talk about Sampoor with we can talk, if not we can only talk to God". stopped going to them'.
'We don't see anybody behaving ashuman b something from us. Nobody is willing to talk to i
What are the LLRC report recommend
The Lessons Learned and reconciliations Com situation of the people of Sampoor during the he:

d under the carpet for a long time. The fishing rights. The government is attacking us;
s only at Kadaikarachchenai that the Sampoor placed have been able to get anywhere close to ir original habitat. Other villagers cannot go
k to their places. The people from Ilaikkandal re resettled at Veeramahanagar. There are 150 nilies living in a forest area. Some people who nt to Veeramahanagar got houses in the same age. It took 3 years to build the houses. There still half built houses in the village.
ha Kadawathsathara citizen committee of
We do not have a strong united citizen's front to Imittee is not strong enough to fight this."
nderstandable reasons shared;
s that we will not be able to return to our own ys, people will go back to their original places as do need a Moses to lead us".
uld notmally appeal to in the case of injustices vivisional Secretariat (Pradesheeya Sabha – PS), . The Navy commander has also stopped
GA – the leading government official in the him. Then the people asked, "Tell us with whom The GA invites us for meetings, but we have
eings. Everyone tries to gain something, earn as frankly or offer us any help.
lations on Sampoor People?
mission (LLRC) heard submissions about the arings it held in Mutur.

Page 19
In Paragraph 6.59 of its report, the LLRC menti reduced to 38 square kilometers and that 1,272 Coal Power Plant and the Special Economic Zo the need to formalize the demarcation of HS compensation to the displaced. In Paragraph 8 still living in the transit camp in Kiliveddy.
In its recommendations, in Paragraph 9.142, th review with a view to releasing more land to th perspective. Once again, it calls for alternativel those families displaced by the creation of the H
The LLRC recommends compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Restitution of Land o
What are NAFSO/ Praja Abhilasha Ex
NAFSO/ Praja Abhilasha (PA) has held a serie Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pattithidal and Ki team and the IDPs living in the camps was, an the continuous and consistent efforts of our tear people from the Sampoor IDP community agree held in Colombo on 6th September 2011.
During our preliminary visits to the communit: the people, who were hesitant to come forward face. However, once they were convinced about the victimized community of IDPs, they agreed
The people have openly shared their reservation and specifically the leader of the TNA, for wl They also expressed utter frustration regardin issues. They felt that the politicians would only for their benefit before elections, and would people.
Unfortunately, the Sampoor people could not : their vehicle met with an accident on the way; s a result. Interestingly enough, September 6 wa the Coal Power Plant at Sampoor was laid.
Minister Basil Rajapakse had mentioned in ] Sampoor could go back to their homes of origin This has given rise to new hopes.

13)-
ons the fact that the High Security Zone had been families were due to be displaced because of the ne. In Paragraph 6.98, the LLRC report mentions SZs and provide alternative land or equivalent .114, the report points out that 1,600 people are
e LLRC recommends that the HSZ be subject to e people while keeping national security needs in and and/or monetary compensation to be given to (SZ.
UN Guiding Principles of Displacement and the of the Displaced.
(periences with Sampoor people?
es of public meetings at the camps for Internally liveddy. Building adequate trust between the PA 1 continues to be, a challenge. However, through
n, we have had some success; for example, some ed to attend the Land Conference which was to be
ies, we experienced some initial reluctance from a and take joint action against the injustices they E our genuine commitment and highest respect for to work with the Land Coalition of PA/ NAFSO.
as against politicians, especially Tamil politicians hom they had voted at the last general election. ng the lack of political concern regarding their
come to them when they needed to collect votes later forget all the issues and grievances of the
attend the 6th September meeting in Colombo as ome of our colleagues suffered serious injuries as s also the day on which the foundation stone for
Parliament, in October 2011,that the people of - as the government will return their land to them.

Page 20
We need to work together to reach the goal of re of people re-settle on their land in Sampoor. Al coordinating Team at Praja Abhilasha join han landless people of Sampoor.
Organizations providing support to Sampoor
IGOS: UNHCR- ( support for education through
NGOS: OFFER- JHAH related organization;
GOVERNMENT: Provincial Council support f. for self employment; from Agriculture Departm for home gardens.
Other supportive groups for the IDPs in Trincoma
Civil Society organizations are present and providing remain anonymous due to fears of placing their work

-acquiring the land and helping the community :hough the route to such a goal is not easy, our Is in firm solidarity and strength for all of the
people:
UNICEF funds), UNICEF, WFP
or farmers; support from Ministry of Livestock ent, paddy, ground nuts, maize, seeds, support
ilee:
some support to the IDPs. However, many prefer to at risk

Page 21
The Thiru Murugandi Resettlement Pro
Date of Visit: 13th July 2012
Thiru Murugandi was a border village during Village and their main livelihood was agricult agriculture purposes. During the final Eelam backward with the LTTE in September 200 documented below.
The displaced people from the Thiru Murugand Oddusuddan Divisional Secretariat area of the Mul situation of newly resettled people, their livelih Abhilasha/NAFSO/RightsNow/PCHR
19 families have attempted to resettle in their origi families did not resettled in the original lands as they now occupied by an army camp. These 5 families saying they will be allowed to resettle permanentl period.
Army camp buildings are being were lived before displaced
 
 

15)
CeSS
the war. There were 463 families lived in this ture. Each family had two acres land for their
war the people of Murugandi village moved )8. The route they traveled up to today has
i village, at MU 75 Grama Niladari division, at laithivu district, were resettled on 12 July 2012. The ood issues, were observed during a recent Praja
field visit.
nal dwellings in the same village. However 5 of 19 claimed the place where those houses are situated is have therefore resettled in another temporary place y in their original dwellings within 3 months time

Page 22
Those families have been multiply displaced since 8 different places. During the war they also had to mig places they have sought refuge are:
01) Vattakachchi 02) Vishwamadu 03) Sugandipuram 04) PuthuMathalan 05) Pokkanei 06) MullaiVaikal 07) Vattuwal 08) MenikFarm
At the Vattuval village they were taken into the custo welfare camp just after the war. At that time severall clothes. When they were living in Menik Farm their
However at Thiru Murugandi village, there have beel children. The 19 families of Thiru Murugandi village other professions for their livelihoods. Currently hov survival. This is due to the short time since they cam Started to rebuild their lives.
As the land has not been occupied for long period it h with bushes and forest. The people shared with the fi people to clear the jungle and to put up temporary sh such as Mammoty, knives, hammers, lanterns, thread basins.
The resettled area is covered with dust and currently problem in the Thiru Murugandi community though basis. Before the displacement these families had eng acre of land. However they now see that the war has that their current hardships are due to the War.
The NAFSO/Rights Now/PCHR/Praja Abhilasha fie appropriate action to assist the people to recover thei
O. Enhance the livelihoods capacities of the pec a Provide the necessary infrastructure facilities O Ensure immediate assistance to protect the p
their permanent shelters, O Provide education facilities to the children a
All these measures will help the people's lives return
However, the remaining 444 families of Thiru Muru are awaiting to come back to their village. The hou Many of those houses were not given because of 1 action to resettle those families as earliest possible ti to resettlement of the war displaced community.

th May 2009 and temporarily settled many times in rated to several places on various occasions. The
dy of army forces and handed over to Menik Farm NGOs attended to their needs providing food and phildren had the opportunity to began their education.
n numerous difficulties in accessing education of the had been engaged in masonry, carpentry and many vever they do not have any livelihood for their 2 back from Menik Farm and they have only just
has returned to a jungle like state and is now covered eld team that the military forces are helping the elters. UNHCR has supported with some equipments s, mattresses, tents, Water cans, mosquito nets and
suffering a heat wave. The water supply is the main
the military supply drinking water bowser on a daily aged in agriculture each having approximately a 1/2 dramatically changed their lives and they clearly see
ld team recommend that it is necessary to take
lives and livelihoods;
ple and improve their professional skills,
to the community, people from rain, dust and heat with help to build up
ld their families,
to some kind of normalcy.
gandi village people do not have any hope yet. They ises of those people are also inside the army camp. his situation. Need proper attention and immediate me. This is one way of focus attention of authorities

Page 23
(
Moor Street: Place of Concern ( Date of Visit 11.07.2012 囊
1. Moor Street, 2. Chavakachcheri, 3. Velanai,
4.Point Pedro, 5. Nagadeepa, Nainathivu
The first field observations were at the above stated villages in the Jaffna Divisional Secretariat area. A substantial minority of the population in these areas are Muslims. The majori
In 1990, when the Muslim were evicted from Jaff area amongst 12,000 Tamil households. However increased to 8,000 and the total number of househ During the war Muslim people were forcibly evic areas. Up until now 2392 Muslim families have bi
these families were moved from place to place Su Negombo areas. However their original settlemen permanently settled in Putlam but generally the P. policy to resettle people after the war.
According to the information received from Jaffn Bank has given Rs. 375,000 for each of the 300 f:
Moor Street, Jaffna Divisional Secretariat area
In 1990, when Muslim families were fo street was around 500. However there are around to report that although 100 families have been permanent house. There are altogether 3311 hou living in a land which belongs to the Mosque.
The people in the New Moor Street:
23 out of 650 Muslim families are living in th
this land on 14 December 2009, getting the rele any land though but settled in land belonging perches. At the beginning 23 families were re resettling without adequate support 11 families the 1st Street of New Moor Street today.
 

17)
bn Muslim Returnees:
ity population is this area is Tamil.
na, there were 5000 Muslim families living in the it is now reported that the number of families has olds to 20,000. ted and migrated to Putlam District and many other een registered in Jaffna. During their displacement
ch as Putlam, Anuradhapura, Colombo and its are situated in Jaffna. A number of families have eople complain that there seems to be no standard
a Civil Society for Equality JCSE)(1), the World amilies due for resettlement in 2009.
l.
rcefully evicted, the number of families in the Moor 650 families living in the area today. It is important resettled in their own land none of them have a Iseholds living in Moor street and most of them are
e camp at Moor Street. These people returned to ivant passes from the authorities. They did not get g to the mosque. The total land covered is 100 aturned to the land but due to the difficulties of left the place and only 12 families are living in

Page 24
(
1.
The situation of the First Street Camp:
The land where the First Street Camp is very high heat levels. Hence it is a difficult place made and covered with tin sheets, cadjan, and tel land is situated close to the Muslims cemetery. P during the rainy season. The gap between the h provided for the people. Only two lavatories are
During the time of displacement these people However now the resettle people do not engage now many of the people are surviving from a ho earn something for their living by providing in resettled families earn some daily wages through Some people are living by selling cows and goats is another source of income for those families. As to Support livelihoods regeneration after their 1 provided by richer Muslim businessmen in the families of this area Survive.
There is no big issue regarding education and re nearby area and there are teachers as well as Sch difficulties families face in sending their childr Women does seem to be ensured. No cases of chil area, which is a very positive when compared wit
The relationship between the camp and military
During the 1990-95 period, the mosque and its prope
was captured by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSI the land came under the GOSL military control and th GOSL contol in 2011. There was no conflict reported this area and nothing reported recently.
 

situated is dusty and is currently experiencing : to live. People are living in temporary shelters it cloth. The residents do not feel secure and the eople also complained that the land is inundated puses is also limited and no water facilities are provided in one lane.
= புதிய கனக தெரு
New Moore STREE.
: survived with various types of livelihoods. in any regular permanent employment. Instead Dst of different types of temporary work. Some neals to the university students. Many of the general labouring activities. At the same time, for meat. Collecting and selling iron and metals a whole there is little or no assistance provided resettlement. Some minor assistance has been
recent past. These are the meager ways the
ligious activities as the mosque is situated in a ools in the area. The big issue is the economic en to school. The security of the children and d abuse or rape have been reported so far in this h many other places in the country.
forces:
rties were controlled by LTTE. In 1995 the mosque ) military forces. During the period of 1995-2003 he Moor street mosque was finally released from
between GOSL military forces and the Muslims of

Page 25
The serious for the people of this area is housing. Th population of the area has increased considerably du increased during the displacement period. The new f and this is where a key problem lies.
The people living in Muslim areas, Moor street and indifference shown for them them by the administrat
Muslim areas do not receive equal treatments to othe situation and demanded just and equal acceptance o Sri Lanka.
When we report some of the grievances of the Mu
"There are lot of people coming from NG displaced and recent resettled people. S bicycles and even tractors. But, there is no
"There is a big problem of Jaffna divisio. We do not have any problem from the gov the divisional secretary."
"We need permit to transport a cow from transport a goat. We want this division happening. May be he has political backin
"It is only the minister Rishak Badurdeen minister in Jaffna, Douglas Devananda do weak. However, we cannot do anything go
"There are lot of Tamils who conduct res no point to write or speak to the governme
Communication between the Camps and the ou
Between the people in the camps and 1 Negombo and Puttlam relationships are maintaine team observed that there are some misunderstand activists claimed that Christian priests are hurrie Muslims. Once bought the lands are resettled with
Overall Demands of the People:
The main demand expressed by the people immediately resettlement is implement. Additiona been living for a long period in Jaffna, their re rights. A standard set of principles on resettlem

19)—
Lis is mainly due to the number of families. The ring this period. The number of families even amilies expect new land for housing and resettlement
other areas in Jaffna, are gravely concerned at the tive officials. A key complaint is that the majority ers. Civil society activists have condemned this
all the displaced and resettled people as citizens of
slim community there are as follows;
'Os and external groups, collect information of the Some of them have received boats, engines, nets, othing received by Muslims. "
nal secretary. He is Mr. Devindram Subabharathi. ernment or the military forces. Our only problem is
one section to another section of Jaffna. We cannot al secretary to transfer from here. But it is not
Fg. "
F gave us something for our living. Even, the other o not help us. We know the government services are ing against the government."
earch and survey work on IDP resettlers. There is
nt. "
iter society:
their distant community members now living in d and close communication is regular. However the ings between religious groups. Some civil society =dly buying the lands which formerly belonged to
Christians families. *
e is that their their original land be returned to them lly they feel that as their Muslim communities have sidency should be recognized by respecting their ents should be applied to them as to other needy

Page 26
(2.
groups. With this in place many felt that their
reconciliation process programs to build harmon communities, living in Jaffna, should be set in p provision of essential infrastructure facilities. As demand some Muslim officials to be appointed
provide state land for those who are landless. (Ramadan) begins soon, they also expect some assi:
Some other areas of Muslim People resettled aft
Chavakacheri: There are 85 muslim families regi compared to early population levels. During the W the returnees are now living in a temporary she construction. This will also lead to another issue as again due to railway track construction. According in a tense situation fearing further displacement; an
Velanai : A small number of displaced people have Muslims had also sold their lands during the war. P. to the Mosque and this is also a temporary arrangen land and presently they are living temporarily in old and the rearing cows for the community.
Nagadeepa : It is reported that 1/3 of the originally their own lands again. But they do not have any hc among the displaced community has not been retur
No | Names of Areas
O1 Moor Street
O2 Savakatchery
03 Velanai
04 || Nagadeepa
Case Study : F. Janzia and A. M. Fasmil - A Fan
The F.Janzia and A.M. Fasmil's family is liv their two children. They live with much hardships: their displacement the father of the family, Fasmil w houses. He lost his job due to the displacement. F

basic requirements could be met. Through the y and coexistence between Tamil and Muslim
·lace and this would be immeasurably aided by
one key step in the right direction the people to the administrative area. Government should As the Muslim religious season call "NOMBI" stance to celebrate this too.
!r War:
stered as returnees though this number is very low ar these Muslim people have sold their lands and Iters adjacent to the newly railway track under
most, if not all, these returnees will be displaced to the JCSE representative, the people are living ew threat to their lives.
returned to this area. Most of the displaced eople are living in a small piece of land belonging nent. People do not have any ownership of the | buildings. The main source of income is fishing
u registered number of people have been resettled puse so far. As the JCSE claim, the majority
ned to the village so far.
Registered families
Arrived families
2150
650
85
| 10
45
112
35
nily at 1st Street of Moor Street Muslim
ving in 1st Street of Moor street in Jaffna with and difficulties since their return to Jaffna. Before was a technician and earned a decent living wiring zasmil then began collecting abandoned iron and

Page 27
selling it, visiting from house to house. Janzia is th home taking care of children in their temporary sh youngest is 9 months old.
Fatima Hasara is the 9 month old baby and was that the doctors have directed the family to leav caused her daughter to become ill. Doctors reco visit to assess the family's living conditions during
They shifted their home to a new place and re economic hardships they could not continue there an unsanitary area.
The heat in the hut is unbearable and the overall both the children and elders. This situation is the n
Our team strongly recommends that serious attent these returnees to live in a decent living conditions to receive basic facilities, enjoyed by others in the

21)-
ne mother of the family and works looking after the elter, a tent. The oldest child is 5 years old and the
cured recently of a kidney complaint. Janzia says e the place immediately as the dirty environment mmended the family leave the place after a home : which they warned of contamination.
inted a house for short period. However, due to and have returned to their place of origin which is
dirty environment causes to serious difficulties for orm for most of the huts in the Moor street camp.
ion should be given by all concerned with assisting 3. They are all citizens of the country and their right
society, should be respected.

Page 28
A Story of Displaced people in
Settlement jargon about the people Reconciliation and Peace in Sri Lanka
A team of concerned citizens recently visited the per and who are now living at Marichchikattu village is visiting a re-settlement village for the Mullikulm pe under trees during a pilgrimage to a place of worship fellow citizens who, according to what we are told, : were affected by the war? We heard that one FM radi people have been resettled with government support. about the resettlement of war affected people of ou resettlement schemes of the country, since various ( resettled communities.
Who are the Mullilklam People ? Mullikulam Village Is Located In The Musali Divisio: ern Province Of Sri Lanka. The First Settlers Of Mu They Are 100% Tamil By Ethnicity And Of The Primary Means Of Livelihood. People Have Permane Fields. The Village Consists Of Up To 1200 Acres O

Sri Lanka
of Mullikkulam Whither
FPLAATS
Mannar, Mullikulam
era a
eleF DES
ENE ER BERE
necesse
ICHERWEISE
pple of Mullikulam, who were displaced by the war, n Musali. We could not believe our eyes. Were we ople or was this a place where pilgrims were living D? Could this be a true picture of the situation of our are being resettled in many parts of the country that o station had broadcast the news that the Mullikulam But is what we saw in Marichchikattu the true story r country? It is important to see the realities of the diplomats and foreign delegates visit these so-called
nal Secretariat Area, In Mannar District In The Northllikulam Village Can Be Traced Back To 1800 A.D. Catholic Faith. Agriculture And Fishing Are Their ent Title Deeds For Agricultural Lands, Mainly Paddy -f Land. These Fields Are Rain Fed Through 5 Tanks

Page 29
and Water Provided With Major Irrigation Schemes. The Other Major Occupation For Most Of The V Decades Caused Serious Damage To Social, Eco1 Rights Of The Mullikulam Community.
- Em de
The Displacement Of The Mullikulam People Happer Till 2002, When The Mou (The Peace Agreement) I And Theliberation Tigers Of Tamil Eelam (Ltte). Th There For A Period Of Only Five Years. They were I Government's Military Approached The 2007. Peopl ately, Without Taking Anything With Them. The Pro Home Within Three Days. This Was The Justificatio Belongings. On The 7th September 2007, They Vacat Nearly Five Years,
They Have Lived In Many Places Around Mannar. T kulam When They were Evicted. Most Of Them Mo nar, Nanattam, Madukkarai; Some Also Lived In Ma Own Houses With The Support Of The Bishop Of I Priests Of The Diocese, Talking To Many Other Offi Secretary And The Navy Area Commanders Etc. Fi Bishops Approached The President, Expecting To Fir Whom The Nafso Team Met At Mullikulam, There V To The Defense Ministry Agreed To Visit The Place Until Today There Is No Substantial Response Recei

. There Is One Tank In The Village. Fishing Was Tillagers. The Brutal War That Lasted For Three nomic, Cultural, Environmental And Political
led For The First Time In 1990. They Were Displaced Was Signed Between The Government Of Sri Lanka ey Returned To Mullikulam, But Were Able To Live Displa Ced Again In When The Final War Began, The Le And Asked Them To Vacate Their Homes Immedipmise Was Given To Them That They Could Return on For Asking Them Not To Remove Any Of Their ed Their Houses With Empty Hands. Since then, For
here Were More Than 400 Families Living In Mullived To Thalvupadu, Valkeipetrankandal, Thalaimaninnar Town. They Attempted To Get Back To Their
Mannar, The Parish Priest Of Silavaturai And Other cials Including The District Secretary, The Divisional
nally, The Bishop Of Mannar Together with Other ad A Solution. However, According To The Villagers Vas No Positive Response Except That The Secretary e And Find A Solution. That Was In February 2012.
ved By The Community To Their Grievances.

Page 30
Why there is no resettlement for Mulli
In Mullikulam Area, There Is A Proposal To Establ
Was Reported In The Sinhala Weekly, Ravaya. The "Let The Military Use Our Land Even Though We Ha Required Area, They Can Allow Us To Live In The Live In The Remaining Homes", Says A Community Behind Why The Authorities Do Not Allow People And Has Not Been Revealed Last Year, In Septemba Celebrate Their Church Feast, With The Permission ( Event In The Lives Of The People. At The Beginnin On, They Were Told This Permission Was Withdrawi Of The Social, Cultural, Economic And Environment They Have Got The Opportunity To Have A Mass C Village Priest. In What Ways Have The People Atter
Mullikulam People Have Attempted To Regain The Have Been Successful. They Approached All Poss Approached All Possible Government officials Incl The District Secretary) Of Mannar, The Divisiona District, The Secretary of Defense Ministry, Unher
March In Mannar Town, And Attended Many Meeti Seek The Solidarity And Support Of Concerned Response Received From The Authorities, Giving 1 Own Village. How Long Must They Continue With T Of Mannar And, Through Him, The Ga Of Mannar Response They Have Received From The Authoritie Their Original Places."
But No Substantial Reason Has Been Given To Th Been Permitted To Resettle In Neighboring Villages. "Mullikkulam People Can Go And Resettle Near Mı After So Many Attempts, And Such A Long Perio Burdens. They Made Up Their Minds To Face Villages Closest To Mullikulam Which Are Mana Have Not Been Allowe D To Re-settle Even There, Have Been Forced To Live Under The Trees Of Threats And Danger From Wild Elephants And Oth

4)-
Kulam People?
ish A Naval Base Which Needs 1000 Hectares. This Response Of The People To This Is Very Reasonable. ave Our Title Deeds To Those Lands. After Using The Rest Of Our Village. As Much As We Can, We Will Leader Who Preferred Not To Be Named. The Reason To Get Back To Their Original Village Is Not Known er, The People Of Mullikulam Hoped To Be Able To Df The Authorities. This Annual Celebration Is A Key z They Were Told That It Would Be Permitted; Later a, Due To Security Reasons. This Is A Clear Violation al Rights Of The People. At The End, The Only Time elebrated Was During The Recent Ordination Of The apted To Regain Their Own Land?
ir Land And Homes In Many Ways. None Of These ible Politicians Including The President; They Also uding The Government Agent (Ga, Also Known As 1 Secretary of Musoli, Navy Commanders In The -, And Church Leaders. They Organized A Peaceful ngs In The South To Express Their Grievances And Southern Partners.however, There Was No Single Chem The Signal That They Could Resettle In Their his Pathetic Life? They Have Approached The Bishop And Other Higher Officials To Find A Solution. The es Has Been: "Mullikulam People Cannot Return To
em For This Decision.in The Meantime, They Have - In A Meeting, The Additional Ga Of Mannar Said: allikkulam." d Of Displacement, People Are Tired Of All The e The Situation, And Decided To Go Back To The ngkadu And Periyakulam. However, So Far They In The Way That They Had Expected. Rather, They The Thick Forest In Marichchikattu, Facing Daily er Wildlife.

Page 31
-(2:
The final solution: People agreed to settl
"There Was No Choice For Us Other Than To Come lies Who Were Helping Us For More Than Five Years. 15th June 2012. We Need To Build Our Lives A To Come To Marichchikattu At This Point, W
Which Is A Neighboring Village Of Mullikulam Preferred To Remain Un-named Due To Unde On Our Visit, We Found 80 Families With 125 Indivi
Without A Tent Or Tarpaulin Which Is Usually Pro ties In The Past. By Now There Are 214 Families Wit ichchikattu Jungle And Are Living Here Without A "Mosquitoes Are Everywhere. There Are Also Wild El At Night. We Do Not Have Any Peace In Our Lives guard The Future Of Our Children. We Were Even With These Difficulties, We May Not Get An Fear Of Losing Everything" Says Winifreeda Cro Batch Of Settlers.
How Do They Survive Without Having Any Protecti Helping Them; However, They Need Protection F Carry Diseases Such As Malaria And Dengue. "We Are Really Unfortunate People. The Unhcr Expe retary In Order To Provide Assistance. But, He Re Him And Gone To Higher Authorities And Other Who Can Help Us. Our Own Ds Is Treating Us People Are Living Under The Trees Without E
Will The Citizens Of Sri Lanka, The Authorities, Eye To The Sufferings Of This Community? This
What is the Southern religious leaders’ r
"I Was Shocked To See This Situation. I Must Hav The People Here In Mullikulam. What Is The Crime Under The Trees Like Animals? All These People Are Serious Responsibility To Look At The Situation Ashamed To See These People Living Like This. Happen In The Future, When They Live Here, And Also The Sea) In The Hands Of The Navy?" Ver Monk Who Was A Member Of The Field I
There Is Another Seri Ous Question Remaining An Land In An Area Where The Land Belongs To Community Told Us That The Land That They Of The Buffer Zone Created By The Forestry De Guarantee And Official Clearance By The I The Forestry Department That Will Allow These Homes And Engage In Livelihoods There Withou

e in neighboring village of Manangkadu
To This Place. We Can't Be A Burden To The Fami- So We Decided To Settle At This Place Last Friday, gain, After Thirty Years. So We Decided ith The Aim Of Settling At Manangkadu Village 1," Said Another Community Leader Who Also
rstandable Reasons. duals 'Settled' Under Trees vided By The Unher For Such Displaced Communith 752 Individuals Who Have Come To The Mar
ny Facilities. ephants. We Can't Sleep , Even Though We Came Here In Order To Safe|Given To Understand That Unless We Came Here, ywhere Else To Settle After This. We Were In -OS, A Fisherwoman Who Belongs To The First
on Is One Of The Issues To Address. The Navy Is From Wild Animals, And From Mosquit Oes Which
ected A Signature From The Musali Divisional Secefused To Sign The Letter Saying We Had Bypassed People. What Can We Do? We Approach Anyone
Like This," A Community Member Stated. ven A Tent To Cover Their Heads. How Long - And Politicians Forget Them And Turn A Blind
Is The Million Rupee Question In Front All Of Us.
response to the situation?
je Sinned, For Me To See All These Sufferings Of
These People Committed, That They Have To Live = Brothers And Sisters Of Our Society. We All Have - Critically And To Help Them. We Should Be
They Should Get Back Their Village...What Will See Their Properties (Houses, Paddy Lands And a Buddhiyagama Chandrarathana Thero, A Buddhist Jisit Team Shared His Utter Frustration With Us.
nong Us At This Point. People Have Been Given The Forestry Department. Also, Members Of The Iave Claimed For Their Settlements Are A Part partment. Thus, There Should Be Some Written Forestry Guarantee And Official Clearance By = People To Settle On This Land And Build Their at Fear Of Another Displacement.

Page 32
(2
The Navy, Which Controls The Area, Allowed T Engage In Fishing Activities. In The Sea. But If Pe To Sea, They Need To Start From Point Zero In Te The Village, They Were Asked Not To Carry Any All Their Fishing Gear And Equipment Was Left Be Even Once They Have The Opportunity To Go Ba Actually Enable That To Happen.
"Fishing Is Our Main Occupation And We Wan Need Basic Equipment To Re-start Our Livelihoc To Go To The Sea. So, We Expect Some Assistan Joseph, A Leader Among The Fishermenin. The Mu Of The Youth In The Community Sends An I The Cultivable Land Is Already There In The Vil Of Paddy Land, Why Are We Forced To Go Justice We Can Expect From This Society?
" They Have Captured Our Paddy Fields, Our E Points. We Do Not Have Any Income. We Are Jobl ties. What Is The Reason For Not Allowing Us To Crime We Committed?" A Youth Spoke With Us With Anger And Hate. Anchored Ultimately. This Is How The Normal I During This Resettlement Process, The Thottaveli P. Rev. Rasanayagam, And Nasfo District Coord All The Time. They Have Helped The People Frc However, These People Are Living Without Any Has Provided One Water Tank Which Is Filled Wit Request Is For Help To Re Build Their Livelihoods. They Need Fishing Boa Nets, Dry Rations, Kerosene And Other Bas "We Cannot Imagine Why These People Cannot Where Houses And All The Basic Facilities Are All Any Reason, That They Are Not Allowed To Retur Think Twice Before They Implement This Typ Affected By A Brutal War. They Should Also Be As Is Being Proclaimed Daily By The Politicial Rights Activist And Member Of The Team.

he People To Go To Mullikkulam Church And To ople Do Not Have What They Need In Order To Go rms Of Livelihoods. When They Were Evicted From thing And To Vacate The Village Within 24 Hours. hind Along With Their Other Belongings. So, Today, ck To Sea, There Is Nothing Left With Them To
t To Go Back To The Sea For Fishing. But, We ds. We Do Not Have Even A Net Or A Catamaran ce To Revive Our Livelihoods," Says Mr. Francis ullikulam Community. Also The Frustrated Voices important Message To The Whole Society. When lage Of Mullikulam, With An Extent Of 1200 Acres Behind Various People Like Beggars? What Is The
Fishing Equipment, Our Coast And Our Anchorage 2ss And Surviving In Hunger. Those Are Our ProperCarry On With Our Own Occupation? What Is The
We Cannot Imagine Where This Anger Will Be People Feel About Their Own Situation. arish Priest Rev. Nehru, Silavaththurai Parish Priest iinator Sunesh Croos Were With The Community m The Time They Arrived To The Place Until Now. Basic Facilities. The Navy Erected Two Toilets And h Drinking Water On A Daily Basis. But The People's
its, Nets, Engines, Lamps, Water Cans, Mosquito sic Materials For Living And Working.
Be Allowed To Go Back To Their Own Village, eady There. It Is Unbearable Discrimination, Without n To Their Original Places. The Government Should 2 Of Decision, For People Who Were So Badl Y Gaining The Dividends Of Peace In The Country, ns," Stated Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, A Human

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What do the recommendations of the Commission (LLRC) recommendations Tamil and Muslim families who los 6.13. In the Mannar district's Mullikulam families have been displaced due to an Bishop of Mannar informed the Commission that occupation of land by resort, and in each such case of land loss, alternative
with the affected families. With the establishme return to their land.
The Case Of Displacement Of People From The V Times During The Llrc Hearings, In Particular Due
Made By The Bishop Of Mannar. In The Lirc Rep Received Information From The Defense Ministry R
Mullikulam Area, As The Following Excerpts From 'Land Issues: Return And Resettlement' Show:
6.39 According To The Government Agent, Mannar, District, 1,320 Persons Belonging To 307 Families, lage Have Been Displaced Due To The Establi By The Bishop Of Mannar, New Land Has Been ] sion For Resettlement of Displaced Families And The Government Agent Mannar Are Co Of Land Identified For This Purpose. In The Musali D Yet To Be Allocated Land.
6.63 The Commission Has Also Been Informed Th; Some Land Area In The Musali Divisional Secretary Installation.66 The Ga, Mannar, Informed T The Mullikulam Village In The Musali Ds Division
Military (Naval) Establishment. Families In Mulli In Kayakuli Village In The Same Ds Divisi nating With The Conservator Of Forests To E Arrangements Have Still Been Made To Allocate I Division. The Lirc Report Also Endorses The Decision Other Villages Close To Their Original Village. It Q Land Conflict And Humanitarian Action Overseas Refugees To Return Home....... This Is A Col

Lessons Learned and Reconciliation
say?
it land due to HSZs I village, (Musali DS Area) 150 Lewly created Navy installation. The
'the military should be an act of last
lands should be given in consultation
nt of peace, most people yearn to
'illage Of Mullikulam Was Referred To Several
To The Inclusion Of This Issue In The Submission ort, It Is Clearly stated that The Commission egarding The Creation Of A Naval Base In The
Chapter 6 Of The Final Lirc Report, Focusing on
In The Musali Divisional Secretary Area In Mannar 39 Including 166 Families From Mullikulam Vilshment Of A Naval Installation. On A Request Made dentified In Kayakuli Village In The Same Divi
In Mullikulam. The Conservator Of Forests ordinating Administrative Action For Formal Release s Area, The Remaining 141 Displaced Families Have
at In Mannar, The Sri Lanka Navy Is Occupying - Area For The Purpose Of Establishing A Navy The Commission That 307 Families Including 166 In
Have Lost Land Due To The Establishment Of The ikulam Have Agreed To Accept Alternate Land on. The Government Agent, Mannar, Is CoordiRelease This Land For Resettlement. However, No Land To The Balance 141 Families In The Musali
To Ask The Mullikulam Villagers To Resettle In uotes From Sarah Pantuliano (Unchartered Territory,
Development Institute, Novembe R 2009): For mplex Issue And Every

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(2
Situation Is Different, Conflict Is A Highly Transfor Be Established Completely Even If That Were C This, Saying The Above Reasoning Applies With Equal Force To The Commission's ReCommendations Take into ACC
One Of The Recommendations Of The Llrc. tion Of Chapter 6 Of The Llrc Report, Calls tion To Be Paid To Villagers Unable To Return To
6.65 It Is Imperative That All Families Who Havi lydeclared HSZs, Or Even Within Small Plots Of Li poses Be Found Alternate Lands. As A Matter Due To Them Is Also Paid Promptly. Timely Ac The Reconciliation Process...another Recommenda Resettled Communities:
6.10 4: (4) The Commission, Recommends Th Development Partners Extend Livelihood Assistanc Area Basis For A Longer Period Of Time Than Pl mission Is Pleased To Note That In Some A Support Initiative Has Been Extended From The C mission Recommends Further Extension Of Liveli Micro-credit
The People Of Mullikulam Are Also Citizens Of S. Peace And Harmony. In The Country. This Is Essenti In The Country A Reality. There Are A Number O. A Long Way Towards Rebuilding Their Lives A Lankan Citizens Secure.
The Secretary To The President And Leading Mention The Implementation Of The Llr To See A Better Future For All Sri Lankan Citizens Close Cooperation Among The Communities. To Happen? The Case Of The Mullikulam People Faced By Citizens Of Our Country. In What Affected Communities?

8)
native Process And Pre-War Status Quo Can Never lesirable" Article 6.103 Of The LIrc Report Endorses
Post Conflict Situation. In Sri Lanka And The ount This Reality.
In The Conclusions And Recommendations SecFor Alternate Housing To Be Found And CompensaTheir Places Of Origin. Due To Security Reasons:
2 Lost Land And Or Houses Placed Within Officialand Locally Identified And Used For Security PurOf Utmost Urgency And That Any Compensation tion. In This Regard Will Have A Salutary Impact On .ion Calls For Extended Livelihood Assistance To
at The Government With The Assistance Of The e To New Idp' Families AS Needed, On An Area By anned, To Ensure Family Sustenance. The Comreas Of The Northern Province, The Livelihood briginal Period Of 6 Months. To 9 Months. The Comhood As Sistance Including Schemes For Providing
ri Lanka And They Should Have A Space To Live In al. If We Are To Make The Talk Of Reconciliation f Recommendations In The Llrc. Report That Can Go And Livelihoods, And Making Their Position. As Sri
Political Figures In The Government Regularly c Recommendations. As A Priority. We Are Waiting Through The Development Of Understanding And Will The Actions Of The Authorities Allow This Is Only One Example Of The Difficulties Being Way Can Broader Sri Lankan Society Help These

Page 35
Conclusion:
We expect the GOSL and UN Agencies engage in th means to resettle all the internally displaced people w principles should be the base and we expect SL author
Point of departure: Guiding Principle 28
"Competent authorities have the primary dut as provide the means, which allow internally
with dignity, to their homes or places of hab part of the country. Such authorities shall En resettled internally displaced persons."
"Special efforts should be made to ensure the full planning and management of their return or resettleme
In 24 May 2009, Asian Tribune reported that G
within 180 days – Sri Lanka President.
"President Mahinda Rajapaksa receiving UN Secretary General that the internally displaced pe time."
As the Hindu reported, on Friday, 11 December January-end: Sri Lanka
Pledged special government delegation to India in
The three-member delegation consisted Rajapaksa; Secretary to the President, L Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The troika is seen as President Mahinda Rajapaksa to interact on countries and has travelled several times to Ne
All these pledges are to the most senior dignita
their word as promised. However, this is not a su
fully.
Because, we can see various places in many dis
Sampur, Thiru Murugandi people are still living
assistance for resettlement. At the same time son

Le resettlement schemes would consider all possible ith internationally recognized standards. UN guiding rities to follow them.
y and responsibility to establish conditions, as well displaced persons to return voluntarily, in safety and vitual residence, or to resettle voluntarily in another deavour to facilitate the reintegration of returned or
participation of internally displaced persons in the ent and reintegration."
iovernment working on a plan to resettle IDPs
Secretary General Bank Ki-moon assured UN rsons will be settled within the shortest possible
- 2009 All displaced Tamils will be resettled by
December 2009. of Senior Adviser to the President, Basil alith Weeratunga, and Defence Secretary s an informal group set up by Sri Lankan crucial issues with interlocutors from other w Delhi.
ries to the world and we expected GOSL keep
urprise to us as so far this has not been fulfilled
cricts in the north and the east like Mullikulam,
in displaced and need immediate attention and
ne of the people are living in temporary shelters

Page 36
as their land has been under high security zone
who are living in Velanai, Uduppitty, expect to
the HSZ by the authorities.
This is very important issue as there are thous
around 22 years since 1990. We expect situ
measures immediately.
At the same time the Muslim IDPs who were er
in their camps in Puttlam and many other place
situation of returnees at Moor Street at Jaffna ar
the assistance and backing of the GOSL to retur
In his visit to Sri Lanka in May 2009, UN Se
Government has to concentrate on three critical
1. Immediate humanitarian relief,
2. Reintegration and reconstruction,
3. Sustainable and equitable political soluti We as CSOs also urge GOSL to fulfill the pledges released on Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Cor
We expect GOSL will do the justice to all the ID assistance to their livelihoods with and protection fo

30)-
at Palali. As we mentioned in this report, people
return their homes as earliest with the lifting of
ands of people still living in temporary shelters,
ation of those people be considered and take
icted from Jaffna, Mulaitivu and Mannar are still
s around the country. We have reported here the
id there are thousands of others also still awaiting
n their places of origin.
cretary General Bank Ki-moon pointed out that
areas on IDP issue.
on in Sri Lanka.
s to the world and also stick to the report the GOSL mmission (LLRC).
-Ps with providing basic facilities to the people and
r their safety.

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