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By Rajan Philips

For the littoral people of South and Southeast Asia, Christmas is also the anniversary of the tsunami that devastated them two years ago on the day after Christmas. Most of the more than 1.5 billion Christians in the world share the spirituality of Christmas, but all Christians and an even greater number of non-Christians are also infected by the spirit of Christmas – the caring, giving, sharing, remembering and celebrating spirit at best, as well as the obscene consuming practices at worst.

It was this Christmas mood that made the shock of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 reverberate throughout the world and caused an unprecedented outpouring of help and concern for the victims of tsunami. That global generosity itself became a problem and in Sri Lanka it has earned the deserving wisecrack: the NGO tsunami.

If it is a ‘pathetic fallacy’ to call tsunami the nature’s fury, the timing of the tsunami, the day after Christmas, posed questions of faith to religious believers and their guardians. Why did God permit such devastation on his people? At the more mundane level, particularly in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, the tsunami also raised questions of politics.

The Question of Faith

Three months after the tsunami, Dalton Forbes, the veteran Catholic Priest and longtime professor at the Ampitiya Catholic Seminary provided some illuminating answers, both faithful and practical, to these questions. The religious part of his response was a brilliantly deductive reasoning for those who share his faith and for followers of all faiths. Within this religious framework, Rev. Forbes outlined the manner in which human beings should use intelligence and wisdom in dealing with nature (science) and with one another (politics).

God, argued Forbes, gives instincts to animals to help them preserve themselves and gives human beings intelligence and will. The animals at Yala retreated inland sensing the bad mood of the nature, while all of the Indian Ocean littorals lacked the sensors that the Pacific Ocean countries had and that would have warned us of the tsunami. The wag might say that god given intelligence is used unevenly and the advantages of science are not spread equally.

The rich benefit from science while the poor, as they have always through the ages, turn to religion – “the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions.” That was Karl Marx anguishing, still in his salad days in the nineteenth century. Marx, however, saw as the positive spirit in Christmas its celebration of child Jesus. The mature Jesus anticipated and condemned the abuse of the Christmas spirit – the vulgar consumerism that is so characteristic of our age – when he whipped and chased away the merchants for turning the Temple of Jerusalem into a “den of thieves.”

The Christmas spirit that globalized the shock of the Asian tsunami did bring in some dividends. There has been remarkable global coordination in establishing tsunami warning systems outside the Pacific countries. Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Committee surpassed all expectations in reviewing and compiling emergency alert measures for dealing with future natural disasters. Warning systems alone are not good enough to avoid or minimize the effects of natural disasters.

More important is to avoid unplanned and ill-planned large scale human settlements in areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters. Countries like Sri Lanka do not have preventative and responsive systems in place to deal with recurrent minor disasters such as floods and landslides. There is neither a sense of urgency nor any public action plan to deal with unregulated building on slopes, to record and monitor soil conditions on slopes, and to provide a proper system of drainage (for rainwater) both in the hill country and in the low lying lands.

Where Sri Lanka has failed most is in the long term rehabilitation of the victims of tsunami, and two years after the disaster there is no light at the end of the tunnel for most of them. There is plenty of blame to throw around but that will be of little comfort to the still displaced victims of tsunami. There have been serious allegations of corruption as well as clear evidence of systemic inability to use the money that has been donated to international and government agencies. Of the monies donated, only a third is said to have been used so far to undertake reconstruction measures.

These actions and inactions, Father Forbes will argue, tantamount to turning away from God and leaving ourselves unprotected against nature. Looked at it another way, those who are responsible for these actions and inactions – political leaders, public decision makers and incompetent NGOs (who have no business in permanent reconstruction) – are also those who are the least vulnerable against natural disasters.

The Political Failure

Father Forbes was at his unexceptionable best in drawing the moral lessons of the tsunami disaster: “It is clear that the tsunami shows that this country is only one nation. All the boundaries, either natural or conventional, of race, language, religion, social class and caste were disregarded by the tsunami. There is no final value in all of this. The tsunami showed us that we are linked in solidarity as one country. There are no permanent boundaries except the sea. The tsunami has forced the Government, the LTTE and all political parties to collaborate. A new ‘tabula rasa’ or clean slate has been formed on which a new political system can be written.”

[Children at a welfare camp in Kudaththanai, Nov 2005 - Pic: HumanityAshore.org]

Needless to say the Sri Lankan leaders – the Government, the LTTE, political parties and institutions – have been at their worst in failing to live up to this moral expectation. In terms of the scale of devastation, the 2004 tsunami was a tale of two tragedies – in Aceh (Indonesia) and Sri Lanka. Both had political problems and were in the throes of political violence. After the tsunami, Indonesia and Aceh have stopped fighting and managed to find a clean slate and start writing a new political system.

In Sri Lanka, on the other hand, the clean slate, on which a new political system could have been written, has been thrown around with irresponsible abandon. Every time some attempt is made to write something new on the slate, the slate is taken to courts, vandalized in committees, rejected at talks, targeted by suicide bombs, and is now being dragged through the battle field. More than the desecration of the metaphorical slate, the real victims of the tsunami are again being traumatized by the outbreak of violence.

The victims of tsunami and of war will have little cause or means to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, although most of them will continue to find in religion the heart of a politically heartless country.

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Civilians in Vaharai are displaced in several refugee camps in Batticaloa district due to the escalating violence recently. There are 2,304 persons- 713 families are living in Vinayagapuram refugee camp in Valaichchenai. Among them are 1,096 males and 1,208 females living here.

Most of them are fishing folks from Vaharai. They were affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, and are still in the midst of rebuilding their lives, and livelihoods.

“I am eight month pregnant. I am expecting my first baby. I do not know where I am going to deliver my baby. Although I am excited to be pregnant, but I do not know what the future holds for me” says Thaventhini Thavendran (21) of Vaharai

People were unable to bring all their belongings with them from Vaharai

“I am a fisherman. I was affected by Tsunami in 2004. I lost my fishing boat, fishing net and house. I am displaced again from my house. I don’t have any income to take care of my family” says Ramasamy Gunasekaram (42) from Ooriyankattu

Pavalarani Arumugam (50) makes Rotty for lunch for her family under a makeshift shelter in a refugee camp

Civilians have fled from vaharai in thousands, and reached Batticaloa town by foot or by boat.

“I had to cross Thattimunai river by foot.It took one hour for me to cross the river in heavy rain. The water level of the river was up to to my neck.Thereafter I have walked through the jungle for almost two days.As the journey was difficult I left all my belongings. I did not bring anything, except the cloth I wore” says Thangammah Thambipillai (50) of Puliyankandal

Children at Vinayagapuram refugee camp in Valaichchenai- Batticaloa district

Men say that, they don’t have any income due to displacement

Women say that, there is no privacy in the refugee camp as they are sharing the space with a lot of people

Internally Displaced Persons are taking a rest under Margosa trees in Vinayagapuram

Source: humanityashore

Contact: Dushi.Pillai@gmail.com

The Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera in a Christmas message titled ‘Hope Beyond Barriers,’ says the heart of the Christmas message is the initiative taken by God to cross barriers and bring liberation and hope for all.

Listing out the numerous barriers facing the average Sri Lankan today, Bishop Chickera points out that all communities, all leaders and all democratic institutions must collaborate in overcoming these barriers and to do so to shift from our respective entrenched positions. “We cannot see the sea from Kilinochchi or Sri Jayawardenapura. To do this we all need to climb Sri Pada, the mountain sacred to all communities.” Following is the message.

“The heart of the Christmas message is the initiative taken by God to cross barriers and bring liberation and hope for all. God does this by revealing Himself in the human Jesus, transforming us from selfishness to self-denial and community.

Today numerous barriers exist in our beloved Sri Lanka, dividing us, depriving us and destroying us.

Security barriers on our roads remind us that we are a people prone to hatred, violence and revenge.

Regional barriers between north and south, east and west remind us that we are a people who are fast losing the gift and right to integration andco-existence.

Transport and supply barriers remind us that cruel political agendas take precedence over basic human need, even when food is freely available.

Militarily strategic barriers remind us that war within the Sri Lanka family totally disregards the safety and welfare of civilians.

Cost of living barriers remind us that in-spite of the rhetoric we do not really care for the poor.

Class barriers remind us that extravagance in our conflict ridden, poor country knows no limits.

Wage and subsidy barriers amongst plantation workers and farmers remind us that neo-colonisation trends still exploit those who sustain our economy.

Ideological barriers remind us that we have still to learn that dialogue and negotiation distinguishes realism from arrogance.

Racist barriers both personal and institutional frighteningly remind us that we are sinking to the very depths as a people.

Barriers to peace and justice remind us that the stress of the past decades threatens to undermine creative values and courageous initiatives within us.

The inspiration and teaching of God in Christ calls us to acknowledge and overcome these barriers. All communities, all leaders and all democratic institutions must collaborate in this task. To do this we need to shift from our respective entrenched positions.

We cannot see the sea from Kilinochchi or Sri Jayawardenapura. To do this we all need to climb Sri Pada, the mountain sacred to all communities.

It is my earnest prayer this Christmas that God who journeys with those who seek new life and new community, will bless Sri Lanka.

I wish all our people and leaders of all communities, grace and peace this Christmas. May the servant of peace born in a stable be born in our midst, so that we might rise from the depths of despair to a new and shared life of understating, sharing with unity. [theSundayLeader.lk]

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

[transCurrents.com] The Northern region of Batticaloa district is being rapidly de – populated of people!

People living amid great hardship in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are moving out to the relatively safe areas controlled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

There is a propaganda war on. The GOSL says the people are fleeing from LTTE oppression and seeking liberty in GOSL areas. The LTTE says the Government is driving out these people in a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile the people are on the move seeking refuge and safety. They are neither for nor against any entity. All they want is to be safe and exercise that fundamental freedom – The right to life.

Theirs is a harrowing tale of sorrow and misery. These suffering humans are mere hapless mortals caught up in a cruel game of war waged by the state and the tigers. Both the GOSL and LTTE have treated them as mere pawns in their calculations. The media is full of stories about territory gained and territory lost while these flesh and blood humans have gained nothing and lost everything.

The displaced people are being de – humanised and reduced to mere statistics. Their suffering is being highlighted in both the pro – GOSL and pro – LTTE media. Their experiences and stories are being used for propaganda purposes. Both sides try to demonise the other . The people are human fodder for the propaganda guns. Both sides pointedly refrain from accepting any responsibility for the abject condition of these people and seek to blame only the enemy

The Koralaipattru North region has been impoverished and backward even during the best of times. Its economy is mainly based on fisheries, agriculture, forestry and livestock and dairy. The outbreak of war has affected it drastically. With the LTTE gaining control of the region it became systematically deprived and deliberately targeted. This northern region of Batticaloa district is separated from Southern region of Trincomalee district by the Verugal river.

The Koralaipattru North region had around 10 – 12,000 permanent residents in April this year. Then came the deliberate bombing and shelling of Tamil areas in the Muthur East region of Trincomalee district. This campaign was undertaken with the ostensible purpose of driving the people out of the strategic Sampoor area. The people fled Southwards moving from place to place in search of safety as aerial bombardment and artillery shelling intensified.

The bulk of these wretched of the North – Eastern earth – whose plight has been spotlighted in these columns earlier – reached the Koralaipattru north region and took up temporary residence as IDP’s. The number of people in Koralaipattru north swelled up to more than 50,000. Their troubles however were not over.

The GOSL began deliberately curtailing the movement of people and transport of medicine, building materials, food, essential goods etc to and from the Koralaipattru north division generally known as Vaakarai region. GOSL also conducted several aerial bombings of the area. Artillery was also used to fire into the area. The GOSL of course justified these attacks and stringent measures on the grounds of security.

In fairness to the GOSL there was some basis for security related concerns. The LTTE had relocated its Trincomalee district headquarters from Sampoor to Verugal on the Batticaloa border. Its main sea tiger base was now in Kathiraveli and Paalsenai. Moreover the formidable artillery battery stationed in Sampoor was also moved out to the Vaakarai – Verugal region.

The security forces accused the LTTE of firing artillery from this region towards Trincomalee district army camps in Maavillaaru, Mahindapura, Kallaru. Somapura etc and also towards Batticaloa district army camps in Mankerny. Cadjuwatte, Valaichenai etc.

While the LTTE oriented hostilities provided the security forces with a convenient excuse to target the Vaakarai – Verugal region there was also a larger objective. The Sinhala – supremacist regime of Mahinda Rajapakse has a major politico – military objective. It wants to de – link the North and East and then bring the Eastern province under its full control.These motives have been described in detail in these columns earlier.

In the process the regime also wants to de – populate Trincomalee district of Tamils and drive Tamils living in LTTE controlled areas in Batticaloa – Amparai into GOSL dominated regions. This is in effect a scorched earth policy where many Tamils will be deprived of dwellings and livelihood and reduced to a hand – out dependent life in refugee camps in their land of historic habitation.

The Eastern province at present has four zones under LTTE domination. The Eechilampattru – Verugal areas in Trincomalee district, The Kanchikudichaaru – Rufuskulam region in Amparai district, Large areas in the Paduvaankarai and Tharavai – Vadanunai region in Batticaloa west and the Vaakarai region in Batticaloa north. While the LTTE dominates most of Batticaloa hinterland the GOSL controls much of the littoral. The only coastal areas under LTTE control in Batticaloa district are in the Vaakarai region.This makes that zone a coveted prize as far as the state is concerned.

The security forces game plan seems to be that of a Southern push in Trincomalee and a North – Eastern push in Batticaloa to take the Vaakarai region. The para – military force being raised under the name of Karuna will be utilised to take on the LTTE in Paduvaankarai and Tharavai – Vadamunai. The STF and Karuna faction will jointly target the Amparai tigers. Already a force of 1200 – 1500 has been conscripted and recruited to fight as Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP).

The LTTE realises this fully. Hence its strenuous efforts to retain the Eastern regions under its control. Their attacks and counter – attacks in the East are aimed at retaining territorial control . The Vaakarai coastal area is of crucial importance in this respect. But given the manpower and military assets possessed by the LTTE in the East it seems a foregone conclusion that the tigers will have to give way at some point to a military juggernaut superior in air, sea and land power.

The situation may change if there is a significant LTTE influx of men and materials from the North to East but at present there seems no indication of that happening. The LTTE hierarchy in the Wanni is concerned more with defending the main rear base in the North with the idea perhaps of launching effective counter – offensives. Unless there is some strategic re- appraisal the LTTE leadership is not likely to provide increased input into the East. This means the Eastern tigers can only postpone the inevitable through their tenacity .

Against the backdrop of such an elaborate politico – military design the people of Vakarai region – both permanent and temporary – are regarded as being of no consequence. The deaths, destruction and displacement undergone by them will only be “collateral damage”. The stakes however are high and both sides have been fighting fiercely to win or more importantly not to lose. Inhuman methods have been employed.

The GOSL has restricted food and essential items being taken to the Vaakarai region. Quantities amounting to less than half of what is required have been taken irregularly. Movement to and from the area has been restricted for nearly ten weeks. Access by ICRC, UNHCR and SLMM are severely curtailed. Artillery attacks have been launched regularly.

In a display of callous disregard for civilised norms refugees housed in schools have been victimised on many occasions. Nearly a hundred civilians have been killed and more than two – hundred injured in these attacks. The LTTE request for a “safe haven” in Vaakarai was pointedly ignored.

A slow exodus in search of safety and relatively better conditions began. But the LTTE got worried about this slow exodus. Restrictions were imposed. People wanting to move out were threatened with dire consequences. Shots were fired in the air to disperse people on the move. Some were beaten. Roads were mined. Other routes were blocked or monitored

It was the “great helmsman” Mao Ze Dong who compared guerrillas to fish and the people to an ocean. If the ocean is drained then fish will flounder . Likewise a region bereft of people will render guerillas vulnerable. The LTTE did not want that to happen. So the LTTE enforced strict controls.

No people on earth can continue to suffer like the people of Vaakarai. There had to come a breaking point. The first signs came when the LTTE began moving out some cadres, artillery and military assets out of the region into Verugal area in Trincomalee and the Paduwaankarai – Tharavai – Vadamunai region in Batticaloa district. The people realised the LTTE was not going to hold out much longer.

Yet the people with long experience of war situations knew a bitter, bloody battle was likely before the final withdrawal. This meant a no holds barred onslaught by the armed forces. It also meant an unrestrained defence by the LTTE that would not pay much heed to the welfare of civilians. There was also the danger of drastic conscription to fight a last ditch battle. Adding to their woes was the weather that would make existence a tremendous burden. This fear of bad weather provided further impetus to the refugee outflow.

So the people began moving out. Initially it began as a trickle but soon became a flow. From hundreds a day the outflow increased to thousands per day. After some attempt to prevent the exodus the LTTE apparently gave up. The local tigers from the area did not have the “heart” to prevent the people from going out. There was some friction among the tigers on this matter. Ultimately the LTTE either turned a blind eye or was simply lax in preventing the people from going out.

The IDP figure of people taking refuge in Other areas of Batticaloa has reached 27,837 on December 21st evening. This amounts to more than half of the population in Koralaipattru North. Given the current rate of movement this figure is likely to exceed 35, 000 in a few days unless of course the LTTE enforces firm restrictions. Already the tigers have been accused of using civilians as human shields.

Whatever the propaganda on both sides the actuality on ground is that the people want “out”. They do not want to be caught up in a war they neither desire nor support. After four years of “peace” it seems a heartless crime to make these people suffer the agony and destruction of war.

The people living in Koralaipattru North are moving out primarily to eke out a life of relative safety. They have been pushed to this position by the series of harsh, inhuman measures adopted by the GOSL to drive them out.

The GOSL has reached the heights of hypocrisy when it says the people have escaped from tiger tyranny to seek liberty in Government areas. The GOSL has used brute force and inhuman methods to persecute a voiceless segment of its population and drive it away from its habitat for politico – military reasons. This is part of the genocidal war being waged by Colombo.

The people have no choice. What they want is safety. The would have come out sooner but for LTTE prevention. Life is the most important thing to humanity. Humans are prepared to risk death in order to seek life.

With Vaakarai region being rapidly de – populated GOSL security forces are likely to escalate military activity soon. Massive aerial bombardment and artillery attacks will be launched. The civilians remaining in Vaakarai will be regarded as “tigers” and treated as such. Such classification could be terribly wrong.

Crossing over from LTTE areas to GOSL areas amids at tiger hostility and adverse weather is not an easy task. There are many people in Koralaipattru who are old, sick and feeble. They cannot make the arduous journey so they stay where they are. Besides some of the original inhabitants do not want to leave their homes, livestock or poultry. Some could be prevented from moving by the LTTE too. Under these circumstances it would be a grave blunder to treat those remaining as tigers and unleash violent havoc on them.

The on going de – population of Koralaipattru indicates what lies in store for Eastern Tamils currently. Sampoor was ethnically cleansed of Tamils. A high security zone bereft of Tamils is being established. A similar re-play with slight modifications is likely in Vaakarai too. This pattern is likely to emerge in other theatres of conflict in the East. Later the North too will be afflicted in the same manner.

The Tamil homelands are being systematically ravaged and de – populated. A scorched earth policy is being implemented ruthlessly. Only the Western nations and India can curb the Rajapakse triad. The Tamil people are on the edge of disaster. The regime is all out to wreak havoc. The International Community can halt it if it wants to.

transCurrents feedback :Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

[transCurrents.com] The past few days have seen thousands of pathetic Tamils described officially as Internally displaced persons (IDP’s)fleeing areas such as Vaakarai, Kathiraweli, Paalsenai etc in the Koralaipattru North division of Batticaloa district and seeking refuge in other parts of Batticaloa. A few hundreds have even gone back to villages in the Eechilampattru division of Trincomalee district.

According to official circles the number of displaced people from the Koralaipattru AGA division had reached 27, 837 by the evening of Thursday December 21st.

Most of these helpless people have fled their homes and temporary dwellings with the clothes they were wearing and a few belongings. They have overcome tremendous obstacles to reach what they believe will be a safe haven of refuge.They have resorted to jungle footpaths and water crossings to reach safety.

With about 40, 000 displaced Tamils from Trincomalee district taking refuge in the Koralaipattru north division of Batticaloa district the Vaakarai region population had swollen to more than 50, 000.The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) for politico – military reasons wanted the people driven out. De – populating Vaakarai was deemed crucial to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In a sense it was like a re – play of what went on in Sampoor region in Trincomalee. A calculated campaign of aerial bombardment and artillery firing was conducted to de – populate Sampoor. When the security forces walked into Sampoor after the LTTE had vacated it, there were no Tamil civilians left.

Now a military campaign on those lines is being implemented to de – populate the Vaakarai region. Aerial and artillery attacks are conducted; food and medicine supply is restricted; refugee camps are shelled; movement of people to and from the area is curtailed; NGO”s are prevented from providing aid; Proper housing , schooling and sanitary facilties are denied. In such a situation the people naturally wanted to get out of the area.

Initially the GOSL security forces allowed people from the LTTE dominated Vaakarai region to move into other GOSL vontrolled areas of Batticaloa district. Around 10, 000 persons moved out in this way. But the LTTE got worried about this slow exodus. Restrictions were imposed.

It was Mao Ze Dong who compared guerrillas to fish and the people to an ocean. If the ocean is drained then fish will flounder . Likewise a region bereft of people will render guerillas vulnerable. The LTTE did not want that to happen. So the LTTE enforced strict controls. People wanting to move out were threatened with dire consequences. Shots were fired in the air to disperse people on the move. Some were beaten. Roads were mined. Other routes were blocked or monitored.

Strangely enough the security forces too imposed a blockade. The entry – exit point at Mankerny was blocked. Movement of people to and from the region was stopped. This in turn led to a drop in the outflow of refugees towards GOSL areas. The state had an ignoble purpose it seemed. It wanted to deprive the people of essentials and make their suffering acute. Moreover deliberate targetting of refugee camps by artillery went on. Restrictions were placed on taking injured people out. Even others needing urgent medical treatment like pregnant women were not allowed in.

The people undergoing immense suffering would have left the LTTE areas for the relatively safer GOSL areas but for certain reasons. One was the hope that the International Community (IC) would expedite action and end their agony. The other was a fear of what lay in store for them in GOSL controlled areas. The most important reason however was the LTTE refusal to allow them out. The fear of consequences at the hands of the LTTE was a major factor.

The situation however got worse. No hope seemed to be in sight. The advent of the monsoon made existentialist problems miserable.. Absence of proper dwellings aggravated the situation in a climate of rain and flood. The acute shortage of food, education , sanitation and medicine increased the suffering. Continuous artillery attacks threatened life and limb. Furthermore there was also the forced recruitment of young ones into the LTTE.

No people on earth can continue to suffer like the people of Vaakarai. There had to come a breaking point. The first signs came when the LTTE began moving out some cadres, artillery and military assets out of the region into Verugal area in Trincomalee and the Paduwaankarai – Tharavai – Vadamunai region in Batticaloa district. The people realised the LTTE was not going to hold out much longer.

Yet the people with long experience of war situations knew a bitter, bloody battle was likely before the final withdrawal. This meant a no holds barred onslaught by the armed forces. It also meant an unrestrained defence by the LTTE that would not pay much heed to the welfare of civilians. There was also the danger of drastic conscription to fight a last ditch battle. Adding to their woes was the weather that would make existence a tremendous burden.This fear of bad weather provided further impetus to the refugee outflow.

So the people began moving out. Initially it began as a trickle but soon became a flow. From hundreds a day the outflow increased to thousands per day. After some attempt to prevent the exodus the LTTE apparently gave up. The local tigers from the area did not have the “heart” to prevent the people from going out. There was some friction among the tigers on this matter. Ultimately the LTTE either turned a blind eye or was simply lax in preventing the people from going out.

With the main roads mined and effectively blocked by LTTE sentries the people resorted to two routes by sea and land.One way was to go out to sea by boat and land on the Mankerny and Kaluwankerny coasts. Another wat was to go out to sea and then turn inland into the Uppaaru lagoon and reach Pethalai and Nasivantheevu in the Valaichenai area.

The land route was to use jungle footpaths.. People used jungle routes to reach the Thirukonamadhu – Kattumurivu areas on one side. They also used jungle routes to reach Welikande areas.Ridithenna became the oasis of refuge and safety.

The rapid flow of displaced persons in such large numbers and within such a short period was something unexpected. Neither the security forces nor the civil administration was equipped to handle this. More than 17,000 had arrived via land and water in nine days. Those coming by boat had taken great risks because of the choppy waters. A few boats had capsized killing several people. Yet the people came braving the dangers. Life is the most important thing to humanity. Humans are prepared to risk death in order to seek life.

By the evening of Dec 21st the IDP”s coming out of Vaakarai region had reached 27. 837. With the total population in the area placed between 50 – 53, 000 (permanent and temporary) this figure amounted to more than half. At the rate that the people are coming out the figure is likely to increase beyond 60 %.

The people are being kept in transit camps for a maximum of three days and then moved out to permanent camps. The UNHCR, ZOA (Dutch NGO) and IOM are providing buses and vans to transport IDP”s from security camps and posts after screening. These organizations take them first to transit camps and from there to permanent camps.

According to Batticaloa officials there are 13 transit camps and 20 permanent camps. These camps are mainly in schools which are now closed due to holidays. Some IDP’s are being housed in transit camps in Polonnaruwa district too. With schools scheduled to commence classes in two weeks alternative accommodation has to be found speedily.

Batticaloa Govt officials in association with humanitarian organizations are engaged in finding alternative accommodation. Batticaloa Government Agent Punniyamoorthy told a Tamil newspaper that the relief assistance provided by the Government was inadequate to cater to IDP needs. It was only NGO assistance that was helping to supplement relief assistance.

Two areas in Mayliambaweli and Chenkallady have been identified to set up large, permanent camps. Other areas being looked at are in Kiran and Sithandy. There is however concern for two reasons. One is the weather and possibility of floods. Will the proposed camps be set up in a manner to overcome adverse weather conditions?

The other is the bane of the East – Conscription. The LTTE as well as the TMVP Karuna faction are engaged in conscription. The IDP camps are fertile grounds for conscription and/or recruitment. Stationing security forces in IDP camps to prevent conscription could bring about new problems. For one thing the role of security forces in aiding and abetting the Karuna faction conscript children has become highly suspect in the aftermath of the Allan Rock mission. Also the LTTE may target security personnel stationed at IDP camps thereby endangering refugees.There could also be LTTE – TMVP confrontations in the vicinity of IDP camps.

Another disturbing area of concern was the security screening of IDP’s. Many of those fleeing had come out mainly to safeguard their children. They wanted a “future” for them. A major fear was conscription at the hands of the LTTE. But a new danger awaits many in the GOSL areas. The security forces suspect that the LTTE may have infiltrated the IDP”s. Some feel that the tigers may have engineered the exodus to smuggle out cadres in the guise of refugees. These cadres could be a potential fifth column in GOSL areas.

So an elaborate screening process is underway.This is given priority. Instead of civilian Govt officials or UNHCR officials recording particulars of IDP’s the security screening is done first.The Karuna faction or TMVP screens the IDP’s first. “Suspicious” persons are detained. After the preliminary screening the security forces do another screening. Again people are detained on suspicion. Those cleared at screenings are registered by the army and given light refreshments like tea and biscuits. Those in bad health are sent to hospitals. Others are sent to transit camps. The “shuttle” service provided by UNHCR, ZOA and IOM look after transport.

The Karuna faction has opened up temporary “posts” or offices to screen the IDP’s. People are treated roughly and suspiciously.For instance, a boatload of IDP”s were “screened” at the TMVP office in Nasivantheevu. The wet and chilled people were kept for long hours as the screening was on. An old woman collapsed during this wait. Many people caught chills because proper attention was not paid as they waited long for screening.

One of the stories troubling IDP’s is that at least twelve youths have gone “missing” after screening. Since there is no official record of IDP arrivals prior to security screening it is quite possible for people to go missing. Any complaint by family members could be officially denied. Also the IDP”s themselves feel very insecure and would hesitate to pursue matters of this nature firmly. At present NGO”s catering to IDP needs are trying to ascertain the varacity of the story of “missing” persons. The danger of recurring “missing” instances is very real.

A fact – finding team comprising members of two NGO’s – INFORM and IMADR – undertook two field trips to Kantalai on Dec 12th and Batticaloa on Dec 13th – 15th. The preliminary report of INFORM draws attention to this security screening issue.

The report also makes some concrete suggestions in this regard that should be actively considered by the authorities. The observations made in this report should receive urgent priority.

There is no doubt that more” IDP”s will arrive from the Vaakarai region in the days to come. Escalation of fighting could increase IDP traffic from other areas too. The GOSL has been cruel and callous in disregarding safety and security of Tamil civilians in the recent past. Its excuse has been that of security for all these acts of omission and commission.

Now these poor people are taking refuge in GOSL areas.Deprivation of basic rights and facilities along with denial of security/safety have compelled these persons to relocate to GOSL areas.

If the Rajapakse regime wants to make some amends for its atrocious conduct and redeem itself to some degree here is an opportunity. The Government should address the needs of these IDP”s immediately and adequately.

LTTE shelling has caused thousands of Sinhala IDP”s in Seruwila and Serunuwara to flee to Kanthalai. The state machinery is working top gear to look after their needs. Such concern and care is missing in the case of these Tamil IDP”s.

These people many of whom have been displaced over and over again are treated like children of a lesser God. This should not be the case.

If the Rajapakse regime wants to redeem itself and restore some respect to its tarnished image, urgent and proper attention has to be paid to the ever increasing number of Tamil IDP”s. The International Community that failed to prevent Tamil civilian suffering should at least pressure Colombo to reach out to these poor civilians whose only “fault” is being born as Tamils in strategic areas of the East.

transCurrents feedback :Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

[Full Text of Press Release, National Peace Council of Sri Lanka]

The lack of consideration for the well being of the civilian population and their use as tools of war has been one of the most brutal features of the ongoing ethnic conflict. The National Peace Council condemns the use of political and military strategies that penalise the civilian population and cause injury to them. The exodus of Sinhalese civilians from parts of the Trincomalee district indicates that the conflict has entered a wider and deeper phase. Earlier in the year Muslim and Tamil civilians had been forced to flee their homes due to the fighting between government forces and LTTE that had endangered their lives. Continuing large scale displacement of Tamil civilians in extremely cruel circumstances is taking place due to fighting in the Batticaloa district.

We deeply regret the failure of the government and LTTE to make use of opportunities to jointly ensure the well being of the civilian population, such as in providing humanitarian relief to the people of the north east. We do not believe that the reliance on harsh security measures alone will lead to a beneficial outcome to the people. Accordingly, we are concerned about the government’s re-imposition of the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act to deal with the security threats posed by the LTTE. The re-imposition of the PTA can lead to human rights abuses by the security forces that distance the Tamil people from the government and stand in the way of the resumption of the peace process. It will also not stop human rights abuses by the LTTE. The recent abduction of children sitting for their Ordinary level examination by the LTTE highlights the need for a new approach without war if the true interests of the people are to be met.

In this context we welcome the proposal on a constitutional framework to resolve the ethnic conflict put forward by the Experts Panel of the All Party Conference. This proposal was made after the Expert Panel considered more than 700 submissions made to it by political and civic organisations and the general public. The report of the Expert Panel calls for genuine power sharing between the different ethnic and religious communities, and for provincial institutions and local authorities to be set up and all communities to share power in the central government. While it would not go so far as to explicitly propose a federal solution, the report made it clear that the political solution had to go beyond the confines of the present unitary constitutional framework. This has been a long standing demand of the ethnic minorities who seek a power sharing solution to the ethnic conflict. We call on the government and LTTE to take the opportunity presented by this constitutional proposal to re-start a process of dialogue.

Unfortunately, the signs at present are in the direction of a continued resort to military strategies and to confrontation, rather than to an opening of new pathways to a negotiated peace settlement. When faced with political intransigence of this nature, it is easier to advocate the cause of war than of negotiations. As a result those who continue to call for an end to the fighting and for a re-commencement of negotiations find themselves vilified and intimidated by the nationalists from a range of political parties who have the effective backing of the state apparatus. In these circumstances, what can be expected is a further aggravation of conflict between the government and LTTE, and accompanying human rights abuses, unless there is bold political decision making by both the leaderships of the government and LTTE.