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People
behind Delft politics
The 35 square
kilometre island which has hit the news headlines in recent months
is situated strategically between the Jaffna mainland and southern
India making it a convenient pad for the smuggling of people and
valuable items. That is probably why there is a big battle for control
of this poor island. For the past
ten years the EPDP had been in control but in recent months and
especially after the February ceasefire the civilian population
appears to have turned strongly against the EPDP with or without
assistance from the LTTE. So much so that EPDP members are virtually
besieged in their office guarded by some 40 armed policemen and
with the Navy also maintaining a tight grip around the island. A boat operated
by the Multi-purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) is the only mode
of transport for the Delft islanders to travel to or from the Jaffna
mainland. The boat operates only twice a day and carries about 200
passengers at a time. As soon as we stepped out of the boat at the
entry point we saw the MPCS building but precious little other than
that in turns of development. Among the other
offices are the Assistant Government Agents office (divisional Secretaries
office), a small hospital, a post office and an Agrarian service
office to cater to the needs of the people who mainly depend in
fishing and dairy. We were told
that the one and only bus in the island is now kota-uda-parked at
the AGA's office as the battery has allegedly been removed by EPDP
cadres who have now set up an office close to the AGA's office.
The LTTE has
also set up its own hospital known as the 'Thleepan' memorial hospital
close to the LTTE office which had been in operation for the past
few months. The hospital is run by LTTE para-medics. Why the EPDP
is trying to keep control or why the LTTE is trying to get control
may be seen in strategic terms. The island, is situated close to
India and is therefore good for business-legal or illegal. The smuggling
of coconut products and sea products is known to be big business
as is people smuggling to India and from there to other countries. The EPDP is
insisting on its right to remain in the island but there appears
to be a growing public protest if not uprising against it. Giving one
side of the story MPCS chairman S. Ganeshalingam charged that the
EPDP under the then minister Douglas Devananda had misused or abused
public funds. He said the protest were a popular uprising and were
not instigated by any other armed group as alleged by the EPDP. Mr. Ganeshalingam
also claimed that the EPDP during its reign had not allowed any
other parties to come in and was responsible for the killing of
at least 10 civilians including an AGA. (See separate story). Former EPDP
parliamentarian V. Kuhendran denied the allegation. He claimed the
EPDP had provided electricity and other benefits while standing
by the Delft people even during their worst times such as the IPKF
period. He pledged that the EPDP was ready and willing to face the
new attack and would stay with the people of Delft. The EPDP members
are not in a position to move out from their office in fear of attacks.
Even their food supplies are brought in by the Police. The Sri Lanka
Navy is closely monitoring the entry point from where the boat service
begins at Kurikattuwan, on the mainland of Jaffna. The Navy wants
to ensure that unauthorized people do not enter the area to carryout
any possible attacks. A group of
university students who earlier tried to enter the island were stopped
by the Navy, fearing that they would create unrest in the island. The battle
between the EPDP and those who want it out of the Delft came to
Colombo last week with the EPDP leader, Douglas Devananda openly
clashing with minister T. Maheshwaran on a private television channel.
Mr. Maheshwaran told The Sunday Times he was interested in the people of Delft and not in political parties. He said the EPDP needed to resolve its problems with the people instead of relying only on the protection of the security forces.
Mary Rita Nicholas
one of the key members agitating against the EPDP today told The
Sunday Times that they had suffered immensely under EPDP rule. "My husband
was the Assistant Government Agent since 1985. On June 8, 1995 four
members of the EPDP came to our house around 9.00 p.m. and called
for my husband. They wanted him to come to their office to discuss
some matter. "We waited
anxiously, but around 1.00 am some other EPDP members brought back
my husband's body claiming that he had committed suicide. I did
not believe their claims but they threatened me at gun point and
tried to force me to sign a document saying my husband had committed
suicide," Mrs. Nicholas said. She said she was forced to remain in the island and could not complain to anyone though the EPDP leader on one of his visits had apologized for her husband's death. "But the damage was done," Mrs. Nicholas said. Colombo
set alight for Christmas Some 35 private
establishments in a collaborative effort with the government will
light up the roads, roundabouts and buildings in Colombo, Moratuwa
and Negombo, while entertainment has been lined up to create a festive
feeling among the people. This extravaganza
organised at a cost of about ten to fifteen million rupees, will
host musical shows, carols, carnivals, open air theatres and spectacular
fireworks displays. Duplication
Road in Colombo will swing into action with about ten or twelve
establishments including Don Carolis, House of Fashion, Stone 'N'
String, Charter House etc. financing the activities in that area.
A pandol will be put up at the roundabout at Duplication road (near
Liberty Plaza), while a float with a Santa Claus is expected to
ply on the road distributing sweets to children. The roundabouts
at Galle Face Green near the Galadari Hotel will also be lit up
and a spectacular fireworks display will take place be worked off
from barges on the sea bordering Galle Face Green on December 31.
A mega musical show by Shri FM is also on the cards. About 18 roundabouts
will be lit up and several way side restaurants opened, in this
festive programme which will begin today and continue till January
2. Commenting
on the government proposal to light up the city for the festive
season Interior and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said
this was the first time after many years that there will be a festive
feeling without fear. He said this programme would also boost the
image of the country and improve the tourist industry and promote
investment. The month of festivity is also in celebration of the
UNF's completion of one year in office, he said The minister will switch on the illuminations at 7 p.m. today starting from Lipton's Circus roundabout and later at Galadari Hotel, Liberty Plaza and Kotahena roundabouts. |
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