News
Kalpitiya islanders in limbo, living on Govt. promises
These fisherfolk feel abandoned
Located between Portugal Bay and the Dutch Bay in the Kalpitiya lagoon, the resident fisherfolk have been promised land for settlement, from time to time, but to no avail.
They were subject to harassment during the war and mounting terrorist activities, and have been displaced for security reasons. Still, they have no legal claim to the lands in the island, they inherited from their grandparents, despite assurances given for their ownership from time to time.
A resident from the island, Lalani Appuhamy, recounted, in tears, all that happened in 1992, when the LTTE came and massacred a group of islanders.
“Though I escaped, as I happened to be out that day, six members of our family were killed. The rest had to move either to Kalpitiya or Kandakuliya. But still, our lives have not changed. We don’t have any titled ownership on the soil of our birth, only promises, by the last Govt. and the present Govt.
M. Emanuel, 80, another islander, said they live by the lagoon.
“We are very peaceful fishermen and mind our business. Those days there were yachts and now, boats have come. Then, the only threat was from the LTTE, but now, there are many other fears. Under the previous regime, there were proposals for Tourist Hotels on the island, and we were targeted,” he said.
“Our livelihood is either from the sea or from the lagoon and hence, have to live in close proximity to them. We can’t go deep sea without sufficient resources. Even the new Govt. promised us 10 acres of land for settlement, but they remain promises. We have no legal ownership to our land.
Kalpitiya Parish Priest, Rev M.C. Fernando said, “To date, the Govt. has done nothing for these people, except trying to prod them into the Tourist industry. We have cautioned the authorities against this move, several times. The result has been the promise to consider allocating 10 acres to the inhabitants of the island for settlement. We have placed hope and prayers on this promise.
