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OCTOBER 2011 MIHISARA .

May Day Rally 2013


A rally was organized by the association of ‘Working people on May Day at Price Park, Gunasinghepura, Colombo. The theme of the rally was ’Working People’s United May Day’ to unite people from sectors of fisheries, women, plantation and trade unions.  The rally started with a procession to mark the May Day and to create awareness on Socio economic & Political issues that affect the country. Several banners with messages of respect for Human Rights, improving Labour rights & standards and implementation of rule of law were carried by members of the network organizations. Savisthri and WASJ (Women’s Action for Social Justice) members distributed leaflets to public which had the printed message on ‘The struggle to protect humanity born out of love and sweat’. The 4 km procession started at 1.30pm from Price Park and ended at the same venue at 4pm.

The rally had messages from representatives of member organizations from Fisheries, Women, Trade Union, Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) and Political parties. The speakers at the rally highlighted the socio economic problems that are presently pressurising the people of the country especially in  sectors such as Fisheries, Women, Free  Trade Zone, Education etc., Issues such as land grabbing in the name of development which is affecting the fishing community, land grabbing for the high security zone in North/East for Military purpose which affects the displaced & war affected people, increase in sexual assaults an women, protection of war widows in North/East, rights abuses of working women in Economic Free Trade Zones & garment factories, problems of migration of women as domestic workers to Middle East, inadequacy of allocation of funds for higher education by Govt., etc., were mentioned by the speakers. The rally ended at 5.30 pm and was given wide coverage by electronic and print media. 

Savisthri & WASJ members at Procession
 

Savisthri & WASJ members with banner


Section of the participants at procession



Savisthri Chairperson Mrs. K.P. Somalatha
address the rally


MATALE ENCOUNTERED BY NATURAL AND MAN-MADE DISASTERS



The whole country is aware of the calamity that befell the Matale District due to natural disasters consequent to heavy rains. The destruction of properties of the residents due to several landslides and sinking of the floor of the earth due to the brittle nature of the limestone plate exerted heavy pressure on the residents. Relevant families in identified risky areas have already been evacuated by the National Building Research Organization which is a state authority on geology. Although it is possible to understand the necessity of evacuating those living under risky conditions, they should be provided with permanent land to put up dwellings without allowing them to be displaced internally.
The research work carried out in the affected areas viz Dikkumbura, Maussagolla, and Nikala Oya in an around Rattota showed that in most of the residences walls had cracked from several places and on the verge of collapse. According to the residents this destruction increases daily. There are several areas where houses have completing submerged.

Several houses had been constructed on suitable areas. It is clear that the preparation of  building sites for construction purposes had contributed to this situation. Since that activity could be controlled it is advisable to keep the residents aware of such dangers.

In the Nikalaoya area where landslides been prominent where a thorough study had been carried out. Fifteen houses built on an upper elevation in the Nikalaoya plantation had with the landslides glided down killing eight residents amongst whom six had been of the same family.
Both plantation and village communities had severely been pressurized by these landslides. Most of the waterways had been blocked by the trees that had slipped down from hilltops. These landslides occurred in the middle of December 2012. Even by February 2013, people refrained from utilizing the waters of waterways as parts of dead bodies had been found buried in these riverbeds.
These landslides caused irreparable damage to residences, cultivations and roads. Roads were badly damaged and it involves heavy expenditure for repairs. Studies revealed that the roads had been constructed without adhering to the specified standards.  
 
Those affected and lost their dwellings had been provided with dry rations and they themselves had found temporary shelter in the dwellings of their relatives. Taking into consideration the children’s’ education and the income generation avenues of the affected families, they cannot remain displaced for a long period Authorities should not waste their time for the provision of alternate dwellings and facilities. Delay in such provision is a grave injustice for these affected families. 

Human Activities
Several villages in the Matale District had been badly affected by the human activities, although they appear to have been caused by nature. Most prominent amongst these activities is the quarries dug by man either for granite or dolomite. Production of lime out of dolomite is a serious threat to the environment.

Exposure  to water results in the weakening of the limestone which results in the sinking of the crust which is a fact known by the residents of this area.
 
Various methods used to break  rocks by the usage of dynamite etc. result in the vibrations that rock the area tend to weaken the crust of the earth. Structures put up in the vicinity of the area had not been done according to accepted standards. Surveys carried out showed that the walls of the dwellings have cracked from several places. 
Stoppage of breaking rocks in the area would inconvenience several families as that is the avenue of income generation for most of the families. We should understand the reality.

Residents with whom we discussed this matter revealed that almost all the quarries in the area were owned either by politicians or their henchmen and that all the residents’ woes had fallen into deaf ears. Residents revealed that the machinery used to break the rocks into small pieces resulted in clouds of dust, unbearable sounds of the machinery and vibration and rocking of the earth. 

 
People level various allegations against the politicians. All the discussions they had with the Divisional Secretary of the area had proved fruitless. The consequence of this is that people had been pressurized by natural disasters and these caused by human activities and some by both.
There are several solutions to this grave issue. One is the re-settlement of the affected families in safe areas. They should not be deprived of their right to land as they should have the freedom to harvest the cultivation in the lands occupied by them earlier.

There are several lands which remain barron after long periods under tea cultivation and the government should have no difficulty in allocating such land to the affected. There are the lands grabbed by the British under the Waste  Lands Act. If such land is given to the affected, intervention of International Non-Governmental Organizations is necessary for putting up dwellings and for the provision of infrastructure facilities. In the same way, a survey should be carried out in  respect of those who had opted to find alternate residential facilities.

It is very essential to provide some sort of relief to those affected by land slides. Since their income has deteriorated they should be provided with dry-rations and the children with their requirements.
The environmental damage caused by quarry work is immense. Residents should take the initiative to raise their voices regarding the calamity that had befallen them. This entails the printing of leaflets. Although  the victims had earlier been provided with dry rations, this relief measure has stalled at the moment. Most of the affected have opted to stay with their kith and kin. These are temporary measures. Relief measurers should be taken at provincial level with the assistance of the media. People should be given awareness regarding any adverse measures taken on the pretext of providing relief by introducing various views regarding the livelihoods of the community.

The requirement of those displaced is some sort of assistance for subsistence since their livelihoods have got disrupted, this is the time they need extend assistance. Provision of dry rations and garments for the families, School – books and garments fro the children and assistance for putting up houses are very essential.

Assistance could be in the form of cash or kind and such assistance so received in this institution would be equitably distributed amongst the deserved and reports pertaining to such distribution would be prepared and issued. Philanthropists of institutions willing to provide assistance could do so by contacting  the National Secratery (Padma Pushpakanthi) or H.M. Somaratne, Programme Manager (Savisthri Movement) on -Tele No. 0112-865084 and G-mail padmasasthri@gmail.com or somehm@gmail.com

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