Govt’s compensation to Uma Oya victims doubtful - CHR

The Uma Oya ‘Development’ Project would displace 15,000 people in 45 days since it was doubtful that the government would provide them with Rs.300 million as compensation, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) Keerthi Tennakoon said.

Addressing a press briefing, he said that Badulla District Secretary Nimal Abeysisri, who serves under service extension was ignoring orders by the President. Meanwhile Bandarawela Divisional Secretary Nihal Gunaratne who was appointed as the additional District Secretary to implement the compensation package, has still to assume his duties.

“Although 42 days have passed since thousands of victims of the Uma Oya ‘Development’ Project gathered at Bandarawela to protest against injustice, no efficient action has yet been taken to provide them with relief,” Mr. Tennakoon said.

He said that the inefficiency was due to the actions of a District Secretary who was haphazardly ignoring the orders of the President.

“On August 7 and 8, Bandarawela had received some rain. It is believed

Although 42 days have passed since thousands of victims of the Uma Oya ‘Development’ Project gathered at Bandarawela to protest against injustice, no efficient action has yet been taken to provide them with relief

that after 45 days of these initial showers, the north eastern monsoon is set to begin. We fear that more than 15,000 people may be displaced due to the monsoonal rains,” he added.

CHR urges the government to take prompt action to assist the victims of Uma Pya project before the rains come down.