News

As a result of the recent hostilities in the eastern province of Sri Lanka, most of the Muslim civilians left Mutur to Kantale as refugees while some others moved to places such as Colombo, Negombo, Puttalam and the Central Province, with some of them temporarily boarding with relatives and friends.

The Sunday Times recently met several families settled at Al Hilal Maha Vidyalaya in Negombo.

They were from Mutur, Thoppur, Palathoppur and were now living under trees covered with shawls with the hope they would be soon moved to camps being built for them in Chilaw as the school reopens on Monday.

The displaced refugees were sleeping in the classrooms and totally dependent on the meals and clothing provided by the mosques and villagers in Periyamulla, Negombo.

Ayub Khan a businessman from Thoppur, in the course of his business had built up close contact with the Mosque.

“After the attacks we stayed at Kantale for a few days. But as the crowds increased by the day we had difficulty in getting proper meals and room to stay, especially the children who fell sick and were exhausted. Most of all the people were worried the attacks will continue. So we asked the mosque committees to help us. That was how we were able to come here,” Ayub said.

Mr. Ayub said most of the paddy lands were destroyed and owners feared to return to their lands.

“There are civilians from affected areas living with their families in many towns and villages, but the authorities are yet to look into their difficulties. Many organizations provide humanitarian aid only to the camps in Kantale” he lamented.

The way of life of these refugees is very pathetic to see having come all the way from the East to the West, still unable to forget the unpleasant and traumatic memories and experiences.

Ariz (20) another businessman is now without a job. This young man looks helplessly as he sits among a few grown up men.

“I’m having doubts about our future; many have lost their jobs and have no money. We can’t depend on aid and free food everyday,” Ariz said.

Abdullah (14) is a student of Nooriya Arabic College in Thoppur.

“I was at school when the first attacks took place, I don’t know where my friends are. I wish I could go back to school soon” he said.

There are many children like Abdullah, who are having dreams of going back to school and enjoying a normal life again.

When we contacted the Muslims Peace Secretariat Director Hasan Ali, he said the PSM would take immediate steps to attend to the needs of those who were sheltered in different places in the country.

“Now we are sending questionnaires to all camps in Kantale to gather information on missing persons and families,” Mr. Hasan Ali said.

According to the All Ceylon Jemiyethul Ulema there are 25,275 refugees in Kantale, 8,877 in Thambalagamam and 3,321 in Kinniya but a complete list of the displaced is still not available.

It was the feeling among the anxious refugees that the authorities will in the first instance attend to their immediate needs and in the long run help them get back to their homes and their livelihood.