Wilpattu – Where The Lion’s Reign Ends
By Muhammed Fazl
–June 21, 2015
Muhammed Fazl
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest” – Elie Wiesel
Much has been said, petitions submitted and protests held, but what is disconcerting to the Muslim community is the absence of even a single case in a court of law against possible encroachment of lands belonging toWilpattu forests or its reserves… and to this day. In this context, rise it does questions about mala fide propaganda and allegations leveled at Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Rishad Bathiudeen and against original inhabitants-turned-refugees in the Mannar/Puttalam districts.
At a time when the judiciary and concerned departments are operating far more independently, the ‘holy truth’ cannot be more obvious than when men in saffron colored robes jump into the fray when issues concerning Muslims and/or Muslim politicians surface. As an investigative writer/activist, I hope I am not alone in sensing a deep-rooted and a well organized campaign against Muslims taking shape.
Wanting to see ground realities for myself and intending to expose the truth, I set on a journey a couple of weeks back to all areas surrounding the Wilpattu jungle. Having met local inhabitants and settlers while on the inspection tour, I am of the view that at no stage, illegal grab of state or protected lands had taken place in order to settle Muslims who were living as refugees for almost a quarter of a century. Interestingly, it is the Sinhalese community from Hambantota areas who had ‘invaded’ and who had set up shop in lands foreign to them. And that too at a time when around 100,000 Muslims continue to live as refugees.
Every Sri Lankan, irrespective of race or religion should have the right to settle down in any part of the island at any stage. But when the Rajapaksa government intervened and relocated 2860 Sinhalese families in the Mannar district (from elsewhere) by presenting 3 acres of land to each family as against half (1/2) acre for a Muslim family, does it not signal a pattern of clinical discrimination of Muslims? Under these circumstances, would it be fair to make unsubstantiated allegations against Mr. Bathiudeen solely for standing up for the rights of his community?
The following video interview with Rev. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Rev. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thero ofBBS and with Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was to give each one of them an opportunity to air their individual versions of the story and for the intelligent viewer to make better judgements.
