Fact Finding Mission- Servila final report,trinco.pdf - IDP SriLanka

YS% ,xld udkj ysñlï fldñIka iNdj,yq;if kdpj chpikfs; Mizf;FOHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKAFact Finding Mission to Seruvila DS Division, TrincomlaeeExecutive SummaryDate of mission: 26.09.2008Seruvila divisional secretariat is one of the waraffected area in Trincomalee district and it isnearly 110 km from Trincomalee town. Thisdivision is bordered by DS divisions of Muttur,Eacchilampattru, Kantale, Kinniya and Batticalodistrict. It has consisted 17 GN divisions andpopulation approximately 13,866 persons in3,630 families.The displacement at Seruvila began with the Government’s attempt to open the sluice gates atMavil Aru nearby Seruvila DS division in July 22 nd of 2006 Most of the people from Seruvila DSdivision were displaced to secure area of Trincomalee district and Batticaloa district. In end of2006, most of the IDPs were resettled their own place, nearly 8,473 person resettled to Seruvilabut person who lived from Uppural GN area they are not returned because In 2007 governmentgazette that GN division also comes under the High security Zone.In 2008 government allowed to resettling people who displaced from Uppural GN area speciallygovernment reduced the High Security Zone. Therefore Uppural GNs people are resettled onbeginning of 2008.Now Government and non government organizations are started to rehabilitate and facilitate tothese areas but it is not enough of for the Uppural people. Due to the war most of infrastructurefacilities were badly damaged it is need to be repaired immediately and the roads should bedeveloped to provide better access to the area.People whose land situated sea side the Security official were not allowed to return to their landsand Temporary shelters were provided to these peoples in land side. It was mentioned bygovernment sources very recently they made land survey with the support of non governmentorganizations and people will be resettle their own land with in a month.Since Uppural area people have to under go many difficulties when obtaining personaldocuments, health services, as well as other infrastructure facilities. In addition being prohibitedunder LTTE for years the area is in an undeveloped condition. It was identified by the mission thedevelopment programmes and immediate rehabilitation is necessary for the Uppural GN area.NATIONAL PROTECTION AND DURABLE SOLUTION FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONsPROJECT65/1, Muththaiyapillay Avenue, Tel. / Fax: 0112662587Ward Place, Colombo 07. Web: www.idpsrilanka.lk Email : hrccidp@sltnet.lk1

IntroductionSeruvila division is divided into 17 GNs divisions consisting 21 villages and covers land of377.0 S.q.k.m and it covers 14% of the land area of Trincomalee district. This division is aMulti ethnic – multi cultural division consists of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims ethniccommunities. The population consisted of 13,886 of each 8,414 persons are Sinhalese and3,516 persons are Tamils and 1,956 persons are Muslims.This division is economically mainly based on Agriculture and few engaged in selfemployment, fishing & government sectors. There is one Major tank named Peramaduwa and2 Minor tanks & two rivers basins in Seruvila DS division.According to the Statistics of Zonal education, in 2006 there are 5 schools in the area, out ofwhich one is type 1C Sinhala medium school, two type II schools & two type III schools arein Tamil medium.Seruvila DS division has one RH hospital and one Central Dispensary but if patient is seriouspeople have to go to DH hospital in Muttur.Displacement HistoryThe displacement at Seruvila began with the Government’s attempt to open the sluice gates at MavilAru nearby Seruvila DS division in July 22 nd of 2006 Most of the people from Seruvila DS divisionwere displaced to secure area of Trincomalee district such as Kantale, Muttur, Thampalakamam,Trincomalee town and Batticaloa district. In end of 2006, most of the IDPs were resettled their ownplace, nearly 8,473 person of 2,408 families were resettled.But person who lived in Uppural GN area nearly 645 members of 168 families are not returnedbecause in 2007.05.30 government gazetted that area is comes under the High security Zone (Gazetteno: 1499/25).In 2008 government allowed resettling people who were displaced from Muttur East area &Seruvila area specially government reduced the High Security Zone. Therefore 410 members of118 families were resettled on beginning of 2008 in Uppural.After the resettlement NPDS for IDP Project Trincomalee region has conducted regular visitsin the area of Uppural and collected information about Human Rights issues from resettledareas such as Education, Health, Water & Sanitation and Irregular issuance of dry ration,Personal documents issues and also it has lobbied the above issues at regional level. FurtherNPDS for IDPs Project has received complaints from individuals regarding Human Rightsviolations. The remedy which was provided at regional level to individual complainant is notsufficient to address the issues of a particular area and a comprehensive study becomes anecessity to find solutions for the issues in the selected areas of Trincomalee District with theinvolvement and cooperation of the national and regional stakeholders.Fact Finding MissionNPDS for IDPs Project Trincomalee Region has designed a strategy as Fact Finding Mission(FFM) to make intervene the relevant officials in the FFM on the concept providing thedurable solution for the identified issues in the Uppural area.Fact Finding Mission is a process which includes follow up actions and it provides not onlyshort term remedies but also long term remedies for the issues. Therefore, the NPDS for IDPsProject Trincomalee Region has organized FFM on 26.09.2008 with the involvement of thekey individuals from education sector, health sector, water & sanitation sector, ministry ofresettlement, and subject coordinators of NPDS for IDPs Project, HRCSL to carryon the2

WaterThe people of this area obtain drinking water by digging small hollow and this is not safe forhealth. There are three common wells available here and the people are using them forbathing purposes.Generally people who are in this GN area they are not aware about how to keep theenvironment clean and proper hygiene habits among the people. During the mission it wasfound people are not clean their places such as shelter surroundings, wells and toilets.Furthermore people stated there is no PHI to visit the area regularly.The issues of health & water were identified by the mission team members of who were camefrom both sectors and they stated they will covey these issues to their higher level officialsand will arrange the programs.5. SecurityThe people of the area of Uppural complaint that there was a round-up held immediately afterthe resettlement in 2008 January and photographs of all young persons were taken by thesecurity forces. They say that they are living in constance fear due to the threat by the Armythat if there is any incident that they will be in trouble. So far there have been no incidents ofany violence happened in this area.The main livelihoods of people are the fishing. The Sri Lankan Navy has granted permissionto these people to do fishing every other day from 5.00a.m to 04.00p.m. People complainedsometimes they are not allowed to go for fishing for number of days in a week .As a result ofthis restriction they are not in a position to collect the fish caught in the net which are cast inthe previous evening. This unexpected stoppage cause these families many difficulties suchas causing there daily income.Police Station is urgently needed to enable them to meet certain problems, if it is becomenecessary to contact the Police on certain matters these people have to go to Seruvila Policestation Police which is the nearest place but it’s too far. Another issue is the security officialshave blocked the Uppural Seruvila main road and if they reopen that road; people can easy toaccess their facilities in Seruvila such as hospital, marketing, traveling to other areas and etc.Now people are using Eachchilampattru - Seruvila road but it’s very far.After mission on 26.09.2008 mission members had a discussion with Navy ContingentCommander of Thoppur and raised the issues on fishing and closed of roads.At regards of fishing he mentioned that the restriction applies only one day in a weekon which the Navy ship passes through the fishing area and as far as he knows thereare no other problems. After this discussion he has issued instructions to his officersto observe the normal procedureAs regards the Contingent Commander informs that he is not aware of the restrictionplaced on these people in not allowing them to use this available road, he promised totake necessary action regarding this matter.6. Personal documentationsAccording to the FFM team consultation of people, most of the people do not have personaldocuments such as Birth certificates and National Identity Cards. Presently they are onlyusing their IDP registration Identicard for their identification.5

7. Other issuesIn Uppural area, there are no easy way to access the other areas such as Muttur DS divisionand Seruvila town area, but roads are available that they are not allowed to use the nearestavailable road to proceed to Thoppur by the Navy and instead compel to proceed along thelonger root which takes more time and expenditure and causing lot of inconveniences.And people requested FFM team to take this matter with the relevant authorities to allowthem to use the nearest roads which are used by the pilgrims proceeding to Lankapatuna andalso by fisherman from Valaichenai.Presently people who are in Uppural village all are accommodated in temporary shelters andnow government started to constructing permanent houses for these people it was observedby FFM team membersNo market place is available and the people have to travel to Seruvila town to purchasenecessary good. There is no post office for the area and the communication without side isminimal.Very recently ICRC has started to provide lively hood assistance such as seeds and fertilizerbut it is not enough their survival. There are no vocational training programmes available inthe area and so far according to the mission’s observations no NGOs or Government bodiespromoting lively hood activities or development of life standard in the area.End of missionThe mission was ended at 4.pm thereafter members had discussion among them and it wasdecided findings of the mission will bring the notice of Seruvila DS, Other governmentsectors and as well as non government organizations in region and national levelAction Taken by FFM team members.‣ On 06.10.2008 Regional manager of National Water supply & Drainage boardinformed dug wells are being constructed under TAARP project to provide cleanwater for Uppural people and it proposed to provide on well for 5 families.‣ On 23.10.2008 FFM member of Health sector informed on 12.09.2008 theyconducted medical clinic at Padalipuram with support of Muttur MOH, SeruvilaMOH. Two Midwifes and 10 Military doctors from Sri Lankan Navy. People whowere in Uppural area they attend the clinic and also navy officials provided transportfacilities.‣ On 23.10.2008 FFM member of Education sector informed they prepared theestimate of repairs and constructions of school building & needs of furniture inUppural area and submitted to education ministry on 22.10.2008. Furthermore statedthe teachers who are attached to Batticaloa district and there attachments werecancelled.RecommendationsHealthIt is recommended to appoint P.H.I. permanently or temporary to cover up thearea and transport should be access to visit far away places.Mother and child care clinics should be increased and mid –wife should beappointed.6

Annexure.Suggested for wells to be constructed for drinking water, and other facilities. Thehygienic problems and spreading of diseases can be solved if tube wells areprovided close to the houses. And the wells should be chlorinated regularly.Awareness among the people ensures the healthy society.EducationReconstructing the school buildings and appoint teachers according to the cadresystem will make the students to consider in the education and prevent earlymarriages.Having coordination with Educational sector during distribution of books anduniform materials should make the children from non discrimination.Electricity connections should be provided to the area therefore students canconsider in their studies without any difficulties.Parents should be aware in their children’s education and it will prevent thedropout of school.Dry RationWeights and measure department officers should make regular visits to the MPCSshops to prevent violations in distribution.The important items of food should be included in dry ration distribution.SecurityTo provide better services to the people police stations should be constructed closeto the villages for easy contacts.To reduce the security restriction for the area of Uppural and people should beallowed to access the main roads or should be constructed new roads or alternativeroads for easy access.It is recommended having good coordination with security forces among thevillages.Detail of FFM Team members1 Mr.S.Logarajah, Deputy Director Education, Planning, Mutter Zone2 Mr.J.M.Sarjoon, Engineering Assistant, National Water Supply & Drainage board3 Mr.G.Saravanabavan, Public Health Inspector, Muttur MOH division.4 Mr.Rangika Bandaranayke – FFM coordinator from HO / Project Officer5. Mr. Lenin Kumar – National Programme Officer, HO, Colombo6. Mr.Sangagiri Bandara – Legal Officer, Anuradhapura7. Mr.R.Amalan, Regional Programme Officer, Trincomalee8. Mr.T.Kanagaraj, Project Officer, Trincomalee9. Ms.V.Mathiyaparanam, Project Officer, Trincomalee10. Mr.M.S.Nishantha, Driver A’pura11. Mr. Freeman, Driver Trincomalee12. Mr. Ranil Kumara, Driver Putalam7