Savisthri which is a partner organization of the Praja
Abhilasha Net work and the Movement for the protection of Land Rights had
carried out a poster campaign, distributed hand-bills, held on awareness
programme engaged in colliding signatures to a petition to be handed over to
the responsible authorities, and held media discussions too in three selected
Districts where Savisthri has been implementing it’s programmes during the
period 9th October to 16th October 2012, which week had
been reserved to commoncrate the “Food Day”. Added to this certain other
programmes are expected to be held in the near future.
This programme organized by the Anuradhapura District
Savisthri Collection was held at Kekirawa (Anuradhapura) from 9th
October to 16th October.
A basic awareness had been given and plans formulated
to implement the future programmes. Mr. Herman Kumara of Praja Abhilasha Net
Work served as the resource person.
In the A’pura District a majority of farmers engaged
in farming in the seasons known as Yala and Maha utilize the waters distributed
from the river “Kala Wewa”
Due to the draught which is prevailing in the region,
no waters are released from the river as a consequence of which their crops,
the cultivation for which they had exhausted all their wealth and might had
been destroyed and farmers are undergoing immense hardships due to the loss
they have suffered. All the member agreed to hand over a petition to the
Regional Manager of the Mahawali Ministry
with copies to His Excellency the President and the Minister Concerned
to take early action to distribute water equitably to enable them to do their
farming.
The right to seeds
By now a bill has been passed enabling the - company
to handle the seed production and all it’s ancilliary work, the implementation
of which in the near future would be a great blow to the farmer women who had
been carrying out this work on a small scale. For protecting this right which
is to be grabbed from these poor women.
- Members to take the responsibility to organize awareness programmes at village level regarding the new Seed Act.
Members have
taken the responsibility to take action to increase the number of women
engaged in seed production from number two to ten each.
Monaragala District
The elephant – man conflict and the usurpation of
farmers land by companies such as ‘Dole’ have posed a severe threat to those in
the Monaragala District.
Imparting a basic awareness regarding this matter and
resorting to under-mentioned activities as programmes to be carried out in the
near future have been identified :-
- Collection of seeds at village level and giving an awareness regarding the Seed Act.
- To inquire regarding the usurpation of lands by the companies such as ‘Dole’.
- To organize a media discussion at village level regarding the removal of the farmers community in view of the Uma-Oya Development programme.
Matara District
This programme organized by the Matara District
Savisthri collective was held at the ‘Sama Viharaya’ (a Buddhist Temple) in the
Matara District.
Mr. Thilak Kariyawasam served as the resource person.
Rajan from the Praja Abilasha Net work and three
members including the National Secretary M/S Padma Pushpakanthi of Savisthri
participated at this conference which was well attended.
The objective was to hold the Food Day for a week from
09.10.12 – 16.10.2012 throughout the island.
- To give an awareness regarding the grabbing of land carried out on the pretext of development work.
- Usurpation of land
- Destrnetion of water sources.
Problems prevarling in the areas
Weragampita – Increase in the insecurity of lands.
Niluala Project ………………
East ………………
Future Work Plans
- Handing over of the document containing the signatures collected against the grabbing of land at the meeting of the District Committee to be held on the 28th instant.
- Submit the information collected from the villages Nupe and Weragampita at District committee meeting.
- Submission of the signatures collected by 28th October 2012.
- Collection of information regarding the acquisition of land for the tourist industry
The Food Day campaign held at the Vihara Maha Devi
Park regarding the right to Land, Water, Food and Seeds.
The awareness programme held
at Matara on the Food Day.
The hand-bill displayed on the Food Day, regarding the grabbing of land.
