23-08-2007
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President of Sri Lanka.
Your Excellency,
We wish to thank you for the arrangement you made to enable us to visit Batticaloa and Vaharai and to know of the ground situation in those areas. Arrangements had been made for us to meet the representatives of various organisations. Among others we met representatives of farmers organisations, fisheries organisations, Heads of Schools, N.G.Os, INGOs, Heads of various Government Departments, Grama Niladaries, Social Workers, Religious Leaders etc. at the Batticaloa Kachcheri, Vaharai Divisional Secretary’s Office and Vaharai Mahavidyalaya. We should make a special mention of the co-operation given to us by the Police, Army and the S.T.F. All of them maintain very good relationship with the civilian population and are very helpful to the civilians. We were free to talk to the civilians and the civilians could very freely talk to us about the problems they face.
We have identified the following matters that need your prompt action:-
1. DISPLACED PERSONS OF MUTHUR-EAST, SAMPUR AND ECHALAMPATTAI.
a. They want to be resettled in their respective homes. They will not object to army declaring a specified area as HSZ and occupying that area outside their residential area.
b. These people now living in various camps in Batticaloa want to be shifted to a place close to their home until their area is cleared for re-settlement.
2. HOUSES.
Action should be taken to re-build and repair houses damaged during the confrontation with the LTTE. Even houses damaged due to Tsunami are either damaged again or not constructed.
3. AGRICULTURE.
a. Agricultural activities cannot be restarted until the infrastructure is attended to.
b. The farmers need agricultural implement, seed paddy manure etc. to recommence from scrap.
c. Renovation of Tanks in these areas that had not been maintained properly for a period of time should be renovated. Estimates seem to have been prepared but funds have not been released yet. The agricultural department may be instructed accordingly. An officer may be assigned to co-ordinate all works
d. Basic subsistence may be given for a specified period for the farmers who depend entirely on farming.
4. FISHERIES.
Some even complained that they didn’t get any implements to commence fishing. Housing also is a problem that they are facing. We suggest that a special officer is assigned to look-after their interest for a specified period. Basic subsistence may be given for a specified period
5. SCHOOLS.
General complain is about the shortage of Teachers. Construction of school buildings undertaken by some NGO are not being attended to. The Ministry of Education may be advised to instruct the said NGO to commence work without delay.
6. TEMPLES.
Temples damaged during recent operations should be repaired or rebuilt.
7. HOSPITAL.
There is only one Doctor attending on hundreds of patients every day. More Doctors will have to be appointed. The Hospital building be will have to repaired.
8. RAILWAY.
a. Only three compartments are attached to the Colombo-Batticaloa Train to meet the requirements of several hundreds of passengers.
b. There is a strong demand for a Train Service from Batticaloa to Trincomalee.
9. COMPENSATION.
The Government Servants including Teachers have not been paid any compensation. This will have to be attended to.
10. SHORTAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS.
Difficulty in obtaining cement and sand for construction works is the main problem. Some NGOs engaged in construction works had complained so. The relevant authorities may be instructed to attend to these need of the INGOs and NGOS.
In general a apart from releasing funds for various works kindly assign special officers to co-ordinate work related to education agriculture fisheries and housing.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
V.Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President of Sri Lanka.
Your Excellency,
VISIT TO BATTICALOA AND VAHARAI
We wish to thank you for the arrangement you made to enable us to visit Batticaloa and Vaharai and to know of the ground situation in those areas. Arrangements had been made for us to meet the representatives of various organisations. Among others we met representatives of farmers organisations, fisheries organisations, Heads of Schools, N.G.Os, INGOs, Heads of various Government Departments, Grama Niladaries, Social Workers, Religious Leaders etc. at the Batticaloa Kachcheri, Vaharai Divisional Secretary’s Office and Vaharai Mahavidyalaya. We should make a special mention of the co-operation given to us by the Police, Army and the S.T.F. All of them maintain very good relationship with the civilian population and are very helpful to the civilians. We were free to talk to the civilians and the civilians could very freely talk to us about the problems they face.
We have identified the following matters that need your prompt action:-
1. DISPLACED PERSONS OF MUTHUR-EAST, SAMPUR AND ECHALAMPATTAI.
a. They want to be resettled in their respective homes. They will not object to army declaring a specified area as HSZ and occupying that area outside their residential area.
b. These people now living in various camps in Batticaloa want to be shifted to a place close to their home until their area is cleared for re-settlement.
2. HOUSES.
Action should be taken to re-build and repair houses damaged during the confrontation with the LTTE. Even houses damaged due to Tsunami are either damaged again or not constructed.
3. AGRICULTURE.
a. Agricultural activities cannot be restarted until the infrastructure is attended to.
b. The farmers need agricultural implement, seed paddy manure etc. to recommence from scrap.
c. Renovation of Tanks in these areas that had not been maintained properly for a period of time should be renovated. Estimates seem to have been prepared but funds have not been released yet. The agricultural department may be instructed accordingly. An officer may be assigned to co-ordinate all works
d. Basic subsistence may be given for a specified period for the farmers who depend entirely on farming.
4. FISHERIES.
Some even complained that they didn’t get any implements to commence fishing. Housing also is a problem that they are facing. We suggest that a special officer is assigned to look-after their interest for a specified period. Basic subsistence may be given for a specified period
5. SCHOOLS.
General complain is about the shortage of Teachers. Construction of school buildings undertaken by some NGO are not being attended to. The Ministry of Education may be advised to instruct the said NGO to commence work without delay.
6. TEMPLES.
Temples damaged during recent operations should be repaired or rebuilt.
7. HOSPITAL.
There is only one Doctor attending on hundreds of patients every day. More Doctors will have to be appointed. The Hospital building be will have to repaired.
8. RAILWAY.
a. Only three compartments are attached to the Colombo-Batticaloa Train to meet the requirements of several hundreds of passengers.
b. There is a strong demand for a Train Service from Batticaloa to Trincomalee.
9. COMPENSATION.
The Government Servants including Teachers have not been paid any compensation. This will have to be attended to.
10. SHORTAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS.
Difficulty in obtaining cement and sand for construction works is the main problem. Some NGOs engaged in construction works had complained so. The relevant authorities may be instructed to attend to these need of the INGOs and NGOS.
In general a apart from releasing funds for various works kindly assign special officers to co-ordinate work related to education agriculture fisheries and housing.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
V.Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
