25th February 2008 - 6 women and 2 men arrested!

They were disenfranchised. They were given nothing except for the help and assistance that the DMIP gave them. Despite the best efforts of the communities and the GMSL there were nine families who were still without a home and they were forced to live in tents outside of the Walapane Community Hall. They bothered the authorities. They did nothing to help them but they were getting in the way of their meetings and other nonsence at the hall. They cut their electricity. They refused to repair an overflowing lavatory pit. They made living in these meager dwellings impossible. They were inhuman in their desire to get these victimized communities out of sight and out of mind. In the end, the families were forced to relocate to a wildlife sanctuary and pitch their tents there. The Wildlife department, with the Minster of Livestock Development Mr. C.B. Rathnayake promptly had six women and two men arrested. They are due to be brought to courts tomorrow.

Can you imagine the disgusting behavior of the authorities? We can. That is the norm in this country. However, neither the Greens nor the communities at Walapane and Hanguranketa wish to remain silent. With the help of a lawyer from the area who saw their trauma and agreed to appear for free, the community will go to courts to fight for their right. We have already informed the media and we have already set up the battle lines to fight this injustice. The people will win. We will keep you posted.