The Culture of Violence and Human suffering
The following first-hand thorough report from the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka reveals the plight of the people in the North and East regions of
This report observes the terrifying reality that is experienced by the people in the North East:
“All these seem to arise from the violence that is perpetuated by both sides, the government security forces the para-military and the LTTE. These people are simple victims of the decisions made by people on whom they have no control whatsoever yet they are blamed and victimised by both sides.”
Internally Displaced People Queuing
Rev. Duleep Fernando (a former President of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka) and I undertook
a few days visit to the
We met all our Church societies, along with the beneficiaries (Religious and others) of our
relief and rehabilitation work. We also met military and civil authorities and had discussions
with a wide cross section of the communities.
Our observation is as follows;
CURFEW
Since last August the people in the peninsula live amidst continued curfews. There were times when the curfew was imposed for three to four days continuously and later lifted for a few hours. Now curfew from
MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD
The Security situation has led to the restriction of fishing in the seas around the peninsula. 90% of the Fishing Community is severely affected for their livelihood. Alternate income sources are not available in the peninsula due to the construction activities that have come to a standstill due to the non-availability of cement and other construction materials. Farming means, you need to have access to land which is hindered by transport and there is no fertiliser too.
It is difficult for newly displaced people to be engaged in farm related activities, as there are already many who were directly depended on this. Even those who take up this have no market for their produce. Hence, people have no means to regular livelihood and no access to money. They are depended on the welfare agencies both secular and religious for their survival. Most of them remain idle throughout the day. The most affected sector is the daily wage earners.
EDUCATION
Most schools are functioning now after it was totally disrupted for nearly three months last year. Now that the schools are open there is a shortage of exercise books and textbooks. However, the poorer children have to stand in long queues to obtain food items, and therefore do not come to school. Transport and security situation further aggravates the problem.
FOOD SITUATION
There is a severe shortage of food, though there is no situation of starvation. Food is only available through the Co-operatives or few outlets run by the Security forces. Even for this, you need to wait in long queues and often there is a short supply. The private traders do not engage in business due to restrictions imposed by the LTTE whatever is available in the open market is four to six times higher in price.
MEDICINES
Medicines too are in short supply. There are no local Pharmacies at all. The main hospitals do cater to people but not all people have access to these due to transport situation. Basic things like Paracetemol, Aspirin are also not available.
The shortage of medicines and food in the open market has led to sharp increases in the price in the black market where most things can be obtained where the prices see an increase of 400%. People having heart ailments, kidney problems and diabetes are severely affected.
POLITICAL VACUUM
The
The civil and religious leadership is also severely affected by the spate of abductions and killings, for which no one is finally accountable and as such, any one could do whatever he likes. It could be the Security Forces, the paramilitary group, the Karuna faction or the EPDP, The LTTE or even be people who have private disputes settling their score. The danger is that no one is made accountable hence there is general reluctance for local civil population to fill this vacuum of representing matters relating to the welfare and security of the people.
On the whole the
The fear and tensions are due to the following factors;
Ø Prolonged Curfews
Ø Abductions and killings
Ø Fear that a major confrontation will begin between the security forces and the LTTE after the completion of the five years of the ceasefire.
Ø Fear of engaging in dialogue with the “The other” as no one knows who is whose agent.
Ø Being caught amidst unexpected explosives or crossfire.
They seem to be losing hope and the sense of self-dignity due to
v Being solely depended on external agencies for survival
v Standing in queues
v No possibility of employment and remaining idle
v No hope for the future as there are no signs of the military activities coming to an end
The Church has already embarked on Relief work since August 2006 and has spent over Rs 6 Million from its funds.
THE EASTERN REGION
MUTUR AREA
The confrontations between the Government Security forces and the LTTE started in June 2006 resulting in a huge displacement of people belonging to all communities namely Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala. The Sinhala community were from Serinuwara area. Now some are coming back to resettle.
The Church was involved in a large scale relief work by itself and in collaboration with UMCOR as well.
The Church community and the workers who were displaced in this area have gone back two months ago.
The people are now coming back to Mutur. Even in this process they are initially placed in transit camps. The
In other areas around Mutur displaced persons from other areas are being brought in. We
understand that some of them are brought in against their wishes. .
VAKARAI
This region started experiencing the conflict since July 2006, when the Mutur and South of Trincomalee became the scene of disaster. Many refugees from Mutur went into the Vakarai area for safety.
This area gradually became the area of heightened military activity. The area under the control of the LTTE was subject to continued mortar attacks and shelling. This made the people to shift to the safer areas of Vakarai. As the military campaign intensified in January 2007 the people began to move towards Batticaloa and Valachchenai areas trekking through jungle paths facing land mines, leaving all their belongings. Some have walked for days. The entire region is now empty of civil population.
Nearly 75,000 refugees poured in to the Batticaloa region causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Six worshiping congregations were totally displaced in the above, along with the entire village including the church workers. Since this exodus we have no access to our Church properties and the plight of a Tractor, a water bowser and a motorbike used by the Church for Tsunami Relief were left behind. The Church workers are all displaced but now reside in the camps taking care of the displaced people and the congregations
The Church has undertaken Relief work since July 2006 and now we are faced with an enormous responsibility of looking after thousands including 450 Methodist families who are directly affected.
PADUWANKARAI AREA
Since last week military operations have begun to evict the militants from the Thoppigala area west of Batticaloa. As such, military operations with indiscriminate shelling even using multi barrel attacks and bombings has led to total evacuation of the entire population. Now more than 100,000 thousand families from the area have added to the misery of the Batticaloa region.
In this sector too two of our well established congregations at Mahiladithivu and Thandamunai have been totally displaced. Further three of our centres west of Chenkaladi have also been displaced.
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Specific Characteristics of the Eastern Region
Ø Forced conscription of children by LTTE and the para military forces.
Ø Abductions and killings which has instilled fear and desperation among people.
Ø The total eviction of civilian population in military offensives.
Ø The humanitarian response almost solely dependent on NGO’s and Religious Institutions.
Ø A huge and enormous challenge in re-settlement as most belongings and dwellings
of the people are destroyed.
Ø Political stability amidst political vacuum where the military, LTTE and other para
military groups who control the population and their destiny.
The Challenges ahead for the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka
1. To participate actively in the resettlement process of the 8 Village Communities
where the Church constituency was totally displaced. This will involve around
1200 families.
2. To ensure continued relief activities for all vulnerable sectors. We have in the
past months implemented the same as follows;
v Verugal/Vakarai area nearly Rs. 7 million (with assistance of
nearly Rs. 5 Million from UEM and Rs. 2 million from UMCOR
v Valaichchenai area – Rs 3 Million through UMCOR –
UMCOR NGO actively worked in collaboration with MCSL in the Kantalai/Trincomalee areas helping
the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim Refugees
*All these seem to arise from the violence that is perpetuated by both sides, the government security forces the para-military and the LTTE. These people are simple victims of the decisions made by people on whom they have no control whatsoever yet they are blamed and victimised by both sides
One thing that is obvious is that the culture of violence has firmly rooted in the society.
Details and Project Reports would be sent to those who need further information if the general area of support can be indicated.
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[Report information mailed to web – Fr.Chandi Sinnathurai]