 |
 |
 |
 |
An event of great importance and political significance occurred in the Highlands of
Nuwara - Eliya district last Sunday . The peoples movement against the proposed Upper -
Kotmale scheme held a day of protest on May 15th. Though a Sunday there was work
available in Private managed plantations but many workers boycotted. Black flags, posters,
banners were visible all over the estates and even some towns. Processions and meetings
were held.
The coordinator of this protest campaign was Eliyathamby Thambiah of the New Democratic
Party. This former "Virakesari" journalist turned lawyer is building a name for himself as a
sincere politicical activist as opposed to other" Malaiaha" Messiahs. The Upper Kotmale
campaign may help establish Thambias political credentials. Among those associated in the
protest on that day were veteran left stalwarts Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Wickremabahu
Karunaratne.
The Upper Kotmale project was first conceived in 1982 during the JR Jayewardene regime
where Saumiyamoorthy Thondaman was cabinet minister. Mass opposition by the people
thwarted its implementation then. This was the case whenever the project was taken up in
subsequent years. The proposed uprooting of people, lands going under water,
environmental damage etc are issues of vital concern to the people. Despite the honey talk
of the schemes proponents the people at large are aware of its adverse impact and are
ready to oppose it vigorously.
The track record of Arumugam Thondaman's Ceylon Workers Congress and Priyasamy
Chandrasekarans Up Country Peoples Front leaves much to be desired on this matter.
Chandrasekeran was all for it under the Wickremasinghe government insisting only that
ample compensation be paid. Thondaman opposed it earlier while Chandrasekeran was
supporting it. After crossing over to Kumaratungas side the CWC came up with a face
saving argument that only one waterfall will be affected under an amended scheme. The
financier Japan will have none of it and wants the original scheme implemented without
change. Though its apologists say the scheme will provide "power" to the people the
Japanese are relying on this for proposed mega industrial projects.
The powers that be for various reasons come up with mega - projects supposedly in the
interests of the people. Their real objectives are different. It is up to the people to fight these
vested interests in their own interests. The valiant efforts of several people oriented protests
in India are inspirational. In Sri Lanka the Noracholai and Eppawela protests are salutary
examples here. Power to the people is the only rallying point in thwarting powerful ambitions
aiming to consolidate "power" at the expense of the people.
One other significant point about the day of protest was the date - May 15th. At the tail end
of Sirima Bandaranaikes government in 1977 a scheme was mooted to drive out Plantation
workers, acquire estate lands and settle Sinhala colonists. The plantation workers objected.
When surveyors with Police protection "invaded" Devon Estate to tae measure the workers
and youths protested. There was Police firing and one youth Sivanu Latchumanan was killed.
Sivanu Latchumanan died on May 13th. There was a widespread day of protest on May
15th. The Up Country earth was afire with demonstrations and work stoppages on that day.
Sudents came out in large numbers. The "settlement: project was shelved. May 15th has
been remembered ever since as the day of Up Country martyr Sivanu Latchumanan.His
spirit lingers on and continues to inspire his people and galvanise them into action to protect
their homes and families.
- D.B.S. Jeyaraj