Govt. spin doctors blame communication gap for H'tota protests
In the aftermath of violent confrontations between demonstrators and the police in Mirijjawila in Hambantota on January 7, authorities claim they are making renewed efforts to pacify area residents fearful that, their lands would be swallowed up by the proposed Chinese industrial zone.
Authorities further claim that no land acquisitions have been finalised and that, only surveys are currently ongoing.
The disturbances, which came to a head during the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Sri Lanka-China Logistics and Industrial Zone’ within the ‘Ruhunu Economic Development Area,’ consequently led the Government to state that it had been ineffective in communicating its plans to people in the region.
Hambantota District MP and Fisheries Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, told the Sunday Times that, people were now “starting to see the real situation,” and were gradually coming around to accepting the project, after they were briefed on it. “We did fail in communicating effectively. That is partly our fault. There were contradictory statements made by various Ministers. At the same time, certain elements created trouble by floating baseless allegations,” he added.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced at last Saturday’s ceremony that a committee headed jointly by Minister Sagala Ratnayake and former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa would be appointed to look into what lands could be acquired from Hambantota for the industrial zone. Minister Amaraweera, a committee-member to be, however, told this newspaper on Friday that the committee was yet to be officially constituted.
Fear of losing their lands, drove many people to take to the streets in Hambantota this month. Even when protesters attempted to disrupt the January 7 ceremony, these fears were expressed by many. The Sunday Times saw one young monk repeatedly telling police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel who were barring the way, ‘Mahaththayo, apita bayai. Ekai aawe’ (“Sir, we are frightened. That’s why we came”).
Meanwhile, local officials were proceeding with efforts to identify suitable lands in the district for the industrial zone. Hambantota District Secretary, W.H. Karunaratne said that, surveying of lands in the district was continuing. He insisted that much of the lands being earmarked for the zone were uninhabited State lands.
“The Government has indicated it doesn’t intend to acquire human settlements and we are confident that much of the land can be found from uninhabited State lands, and while land surveys were continu- ing, it did not mean all those lands would be acquired either," he insisted.
The Government, this week, again clarified there were no plans to acquire 15,000 acres from Hambantota alone, for the proposed industrial zone. Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne offered a breakdown of the amount of lands the Government expects to utilise for the industrial zone, from three districts. Accordingly, 1,200 acres from Hambantota, 2,000 acres from Matara and 7,000 acres from the Moneragala District will be acquired for the zone. Speaking further to journalists, he stated that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government had acquired 10,301 acres from the Hambantota District anyway, for development purposes, and questioned as to why there had been no protests then. "For example, 1,065 families lost their homes when the lands were acquired for the Mattala Airport. Only 10 houses were built for the displaced," he stressed.
The Government also stated that lands already acquired by the former President’s regime would also be utilised for the industrial zone, which was why only about 1,200 acres were still needed from Hambantota.
While the Government claims it is briefing the people on the ‘real situation,’ organisers of the January 7 protest say that little has been done by way of providing explanations. “What sort of explanations do they hope to give by beating up monks?” questioned Ven. Galapitagala Premarathana Thera of the Hambantota Sashanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya. Ven, Premarathana Thera dismissed Government allegations that the protests had been organized for political ends. “We don’t oppose industries or businesses coming up, and we certainly welcome employment opportunities for the people but, these should not come at the expense of people’s lands,” he emphasized.
Acknowledging that monks in the District had been at the forefront of organising protests against the proposed Hambantota deal, the Thera recommended that the Maha Nayaka and Anu Nayaka Theras of the Three Nikayas appoint a council of eminent monks to study such nationally important and sensitive issues. “We, as junior monks, expect our Maha Nayaka Theras to be more proactive regarding such matters,” he added.
Meanwhile, 34 suspects arrested by police for causing damage to public and private property in the Hambantota and Ambalantota areas, during clashes on January 7, are currently in remand custody. They are due to be produced in courts tomorrow (16). More suspects are also being sought by police in connection with the incident.