NPC Chief Minister urged to witness Ira'nai-theevu peoples’ plight in-person

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 22:47 GMT]
The uprooted people from Ira'nai-theevu, who courageously landed on their native twin-islet on 23rd April after almost one year of continuous protest, said they were anticipating a much-awaited visit by Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister Justice C.V. Wigneswaran to witness their plight, especially at this juncture. They further complained that the SL authorities and Tamil politicians have failed to secure their basic needs so far. Around 200 people are staying there, and the families have put up temporary huts along the coast and started to cook food in their shelters during the daytime, and they flock to the school and the church for sleep during the nights, said Mr Michael, a community leader of the uprooted people.

“In a way, we are lucky as the SL Navy did not stop us when we landed here,” Mr Michael added.

The people have begun their livelihood with fishing activities, Mr Michael further said.

However, the families with school-going children had to send their children back to the mainland to attend their schools.

Eight days have elapsed since they courageously landed at Ira'nai-theevu, which is located 12 nautical miles from the coast of Vanni mainland.

“We have been staging a continuous protest since May 01, 2017 at Ira'nai-maathaa-nakar and we were expecting that our Chief Minister would come to witness our plight one day. Sadly, this has not taken place. But, we expect him to visit the people now when his attention is most needed,” he said.

The people are unable to enter their houses and commence resettlement. The SL authorities, particularly the divisional secretariat is reluctant to act, Michael said.

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