Sampoor
Sampur,
is situated in the District of Trincomalee in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It
comprises of five Grama Niladari Divisions and approximately 2300 families
lived in the area. Prior to their lands were demarcated as Special Zone for
Heavy Industry the villagers in the area lived a peaceful life.
2006
– In April, the military bombed on three
houses in Sampur without any notice and 09 people were killed on the incident.
Due to that reasons, 815 families were displaced from Sampur. As a result the
residents in the area fled for refuge and moved to camps made for
internally displaced persons.
2007 – Area was taken under the control of Navy.
The then
President by Extra ordinary Gazette No. 1499/25 dated 30.05.2007 demarcated and
declared the area as a High Security Zone under Emergency regulations.
2012
– Government by Extra
Ordinary Gazette No. 1758/26 dated 17.05. 2012 declared several areas in Sampur
East and Minor Division of Koddiyar Pattu in the Divisional Secretariat
Division of Mutur in the District of Trincomalee as Special Zone for heavy
industry. This was for the purpose
of constructing a coal-power plant and industries. The area contained a
total extent of Eight Hundred and Eighteen Acres, Two Roods and Thirty Five
decimal Three Eight Perchase (818A., 02R., 35.38P.)
More than 500 houses were
destroyed and their Muslim and Tamil owners are prevented from access to their
former agricultural lands and fishing areas.
2015
- President Maithripala
Sirisena by Extra Ordinary Gazette No. 1913/19 dated 07.05.2015 revoked the
Gazette notification issues in 2012 which demarcated the Specified Zone for
Heavy Industries.
Sri Lanka
Gateway Industries Ltd (SLGI), challenged the gazette notification issued by
the President revoking the release of land in Sampur, Trincomalee.
The
Supreme Court refused to grant leave in the matter and thereby the gazette
notification issued in 2015 became effective.
However
the entirety of lands belongs to the people who were displaced have not been
released. This includes two government schools and a Hindu Temple and paddy and
agricultural lands of the residents.
Still more
than 500 families are living in IDP welfare camps in Kilivetty,
Kattaiparichchan and Manatchenai and Pattiththidal.
Also The
farmers’ didn’t receive the manure subsidies from the government. Sampur
farmers are disappointed on Manure subsidies also resettlement process.
The coal
Power plant project is a threat for their livelihood and life. so the people
are opposing the Coal power plant project which supposed to construct in Sampur.
People
handed over a petition to the Human rights commission of Sri Lanka, it pointed
out that “constructing a Coal power plant in Sampur is human rights violation
of those communities.”
