People
toppled the previous government; among accusations land grabbing was a major
one. MR government grabbed thousands of hectares of lands around the country
for tourism sector development, most of the time using military power.
The
government also grabbed Panama lands in a violent way in 2010. They burned down
the houses of the farmers in a night making them homeless and put the security
fences with military and barbwires.
Panama
People who lost their lands and properties are fighting for their lands for
almost 6 years now. First they put the
pressure through changing the local government in Panama, and carried the
advocacy and lobby activities together with civil societies around the country.
But the central government did not listen to the people. Finally in the
beginning of new year majority people of the country were work against the MR
government. Changed the leadership of the country expecting a new era which the
government rule the country according to the laws and regulations provided by
the constitution while changing laws that are harmful to the peoples’ power.
After presidential election in January, a
order have been released by the presidential secretariat in February 2015, to
release the lands of the panama people except 25 acres which are used for
constructions by the previous government.
Until
now, Local authorities do not have act to release the lands.as the power on
lands hold by the District Secretary office, people accusing the local
authorizes are also behind the land grabbing and they have conduct some illegal
businesses regarding the grabbed lands and now they don’t want to work to
resolve the issues as their jobs on risk.
Arugambay
beach, which is main tourism attraction in Eastern province, is in vicinity of
those lands of the panama. And already have started tourism activities with
hotel facilities with the management and security of the military.
In
July, Panama Land grabbing victims tried to enter their lands forcefully since
cabinet have approved to release those lands according to the central
government information. Using police force, authorities stopped the
people on their way to the lands and promised to process the issues regarding
these lands and release as soon as possible.
But still
military not removed from the lands, business goes as usual. Within time these
lands will also could sold to some foreigners by this government as new land
laws have been introduced. New government with their 2016 budget has proposed
to any foreign personal can buy and own the lands in the country. Previously it
was only they can do was lease it for 99years.
Victims
of Panama Land grabbing has planned again to visit near by temple and then go
to settle down in their lands on 28th of November after informing
Police and all relevant authorities, but the police have taken a court order to
prevent the action.
According
to the people, Police have misguided the judge and have taken a prevention
order. “We did not planned any protest
in the road or any where, just waned to go to our own lands after visiting our
temple. But court has ordered to stop protest as it can harm to peace and costs
lives since police have informed court that the protesters are going to enter
military camps forcefully. So, the people does not carried their planned work
but conducted a meeting in Panama Bodirukkarama temple to discuss new trends in
political arena and to plan next step.
Mean
while District secretary have called a meeting on 30th November on
the Land grabbing issues with the Head of the village temple.
They
all doing a political game nothing have changed regarding our issue saying
victims.
Reading the Letter by DS and Court Order By P. Somasiri, Leader of the Struggle |
A Discussion Among Participated Women Leaders |