Weliweriya Water Protests : Answering more important Questions
Posted on August 11th, 2013
Shenali D Waduge
It has become a habit to politicize selective events but ignore the core issue. Before everyone is conveniently taken off track by politicized versions what needs to be reiterated is that the key issue was WATER, the people went on to the streets because of WATER and what resulted was because of WATERƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ or was it? Why are the finger pointers not demanding action from authorities about the WATER? Why has the water been shoved into the background? From the commentaries that abound the shift is focused towards portraying the impression that the Sri Lankan military purposely went armed to fire upon ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ civilians drawing parallels with May 2009 war effort. If we are to accept this stretch of imagination would the army ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-intentionallyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ kill only 3? Using that very stretch of imagination would the OIC Weliweriya and 8 soldiers also have injured themselves when the protesters were very much unarmed and peaceful? Moreover, how could the Defense Secretary who is accused of giving orders to shoot at unarmed civilians have given such an order when he was convening a meeting at the Defense Ministry with all the stakeholders on 1 August 2013 from 3p.m to 6:30p.m ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” would these people not have been witness to such an order to shoot?
Let us look at some of the questions that need to be answered before drawing up biased conclusions.
Is the 18year old factory the real cause of the water pollution?
Top on this list is a simple question. How many readers are aware that the factory in question has been in operation at the same venue for 18 years? How many complaints accusing the factory has been lodged to the public authorities or the police ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” did they take action and if not what were the reasons and why did the factory itself not attempt to do its own investigation to prove its innocence or did it, if so where are these findings? After 18 years the protesters had taken to the streets to demonstrate against the factory for polluting the water and more importantly is it the factory whose waste is polluting the drinking water or some other reason? We shall soon find out: The universities of Moratuwa, Peradeniya and Kelaniya, the Water and Drainage Board, the Geology and Mines Bureau, Engineering Dept, Central Environmental Authority have all been tasked to find out what exactly is causing the water to be polluted and we will know for sure the cause, so let us not speculate beyond the doubt.
Why did media not report attempts to burn factory on 26th July 2013?
We now come to the question of the behavior of the protesting villagers. The defamatory statements that abound across electronic and print media over the entire issue have conveniently left out a very important news item. Why was it not reported that on 26th July 2013 the day prior to the initial road protests some people had attempted to burn the factory and the Weliweriya police had requested CDS to provide adequate security by the army applying provisions of the special gazette notification 1722/17 of 2011/09/06 which gives approval for the security forces to be used to maintain peace. Now this clearly explains why the army was present at the scene well before the protests started. It also conveys that the army had in no way prevented democratic demonstrations to take place as the people had gone on to the streets on 27th July and thereafter representatives of the villagers had attended a meeting organized by the Gampaha District secretary on 30th July though the villagers were not satisfied with the meeting which eventually led to the meeting of both parties at the Defense Ministry on 1st August 2013 with all parties amicably deciding that the factory would temporarily close until the reports on the water contamination was received and drinking water would be provided by bowsers.
Villagers of Rathupaswela had dispersed why didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the others?
The golden question is if the villagers of Rathupaswela after hearing of the arrangements made on 1st August 2013 decided to disburse and return to their homes why did the protesters of the other villagers not do the same? Rathupaswela village was the most affected by the water pollution while Weliweriya town was not. Who were spurring these villagers to turn violent and who were the groups drawing the crowds from behind and were these really villagers? The front end of all protesters having been spoken to had dispersed while it was the backend of the protesters who had begun to get directly confrontational with the police and army in an obvious attempt to provoke them. How is it that suddenly the numbers of protesters had begun to increase even after an arrangement had been reached?
What objective would any protesters aspire to achieve by taking their protests to other areas and attempting to close the Colombo-Kandy road and the Balummahara junction? How or who galvanized 5000 protesters after 18 years of silence?
What is also left out by media is the fact that 100 employees were sacked over a trade union dispute not long before the water controversy and it is alleged that they were also involved in spurring the villagers against the factory. Their role also needs to be investigated just as the possibility of army deserters also being used. Not a stone should be left unturned.
How ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-peacefulƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ were the protesters?
By what definition do we call protesters ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚? Former ambassadors and foreign funded local entities now pointing fingers may like to answer if fundamental democratic right to demonstrate extends to carrying any type of items that may harm others ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” can those carrying petrol bombs, sand bottles be called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ democratic demonstrators? If the army has to explain why they carried AK-47s, the protesters need to explain how they came into possession of glass bottles of petrol, bottles of sand. Petrol, sand and bottles do not drop from the sky even if stones can be picked up on the way? Who organized these bottles, sand and petrol and for what reason did they have them in their possession if the protest was peaceful and the protesters were ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚? We can safely say that the protesters were not ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-peacefulƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ they were not ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and authorities need to investigate how they organized bottles, petrol. These supposedly ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ peaceful protesters had destroyed property and even burnt a trishaw parked near a petrol shed. To organize bottles, petrol and sand there has to be planning ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” therefore authorities need to find out who these organizations were and who was giving the orders!
Why is the impression being given that the law enforcement authorities did not use water cannons, tear gas and even rubber bullets ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” all these avenues were very much utilized but for convenience it does not get reported!
What if protesters had taken protests to other villagers beyond Gampaha?
Can people speculate a little further and wonder if the police and army had not been present what could have happened if these ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmed, peaceful protestersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ had taken over the petrol shed, started going to other villagers and destroying property on the way and throwing the bottles and petrol they had in their possession because certain commentators claim that the army should not have come between ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-peaceful unarmed protestersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in a democracy?
Do peaceful unarmed protesters attempt to take guns of soldiers?
Why would these ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ protesters attempt to forcefully take over the guns of the soldiers and what if they did in fact cease a few guns? What would have been the tragedy if guns had fallen into the hands of those ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unarmedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ protesters who did not know how to shoot but tried to shoot? Moreover, the army is alleging that they had seen gun shots being fired from within the crowd ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” this immediately raises questions of whether army deserters were also involved. Of course this will be investigated and we shall know in time to come but it does raise our eyebrows to ask what type of protesters actually ended up mingling with the real villagers attempting to hijack the situation and turn what was a legitimate grievance for water into a country crisis and towards a Sri Lankan Spring.
In most States in the US it is mandatory to wear bullet-proof vests while in most countries the military also wear bulletproof vests given the sensitivity of situations and the covert actions at play all over the world. Therefore, it is not warranted to be questioning the Sri Lankan army for wearing bulletproof vests or attempting to project a scenario that the army purposely went to Weliweriya to cause mayhem ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” such accusations show people in desperation. Whether terrorism has been eliminated the bodies and representatives that helped LTTE terror prevail are very much functioning in civies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
It is a pity that the very people NOW quoting from international covenants chose to keep mum when scores of mothers and children became targets of LTTE attack. How many of these same commentators signed a petition against the LTTE when 15 children were killed at the Slave Island railway station, scores of children killed when LTTE attacked villagers, the 25 Muslim children in Kattankudy mosque, 15 children killed in Kebethigollawa or the 33 Buddhist student monks killed in Aranthalawa ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” why did these same people now quoting from international covenants not take up the cudgels against the LTTE ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” were these also not children killed, unprovoked?
Do we not recall 2 other incidents in the past in Katunayake in 2011 and Negombo in 2012 where protesters had provoked police into taking action against them and left several dead and provided the necessary ammunition for the same lot of people to gear into action! A look back we can conclude that situations have been hijacked by vested groups that have turned the situation into a crisis ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 1971, 1983, 1989 are best examples. Luckily, the mother of the 17year old youth was wise enough to ask the media not to make a spectacle of her sonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s death and incite more violence.
The people pointing fingers appear to make the Sri Lankan public feel that it is only the Sri Lankan army that is targeting unarmed civilians, that it is only in Sri Lanka that democratic demonstrations cannot happen, that it is only in Sri Lanka that rule of law does not prevail. Take a good look at how the Arab Spring evolved which has now led to total anarchy in these countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s? Obviously from the signatories of those pointing fingers it is not difficult to conclude that Spring is what is being attempted therefore the public need to be all the more cautious not to fall for these strings.
In 2011, the England riots took place. The UK police had shot an unarmed black man which led to protests and resulted in looting and burning. It was referred to as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-English springƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. The US had its share of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Occupy Wall StreetƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ protests and the latest was following the murder of Trayvon Martin. Protests, riots are certainly looking to be the new international spring movement gathering momentum. The UK riots started out on 4th August and continued till 15th August. Sri Lanka was lucky. Over 100 homes and businesses were destroyed in the UK, Sri Lanka is yet to reveal the damage as the magistrates inquiry, CID inquiry and a separate army inquiry is yet to complete. The UK riots resulted in 3500 crimes and 6 deaths and over 10,000 injuries with over 200million pounds in property damages.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Yes, no life can be valued in terms of money and there is no better country than Sri Lanka to know this fact with scores of civilians having being pawns for 3 decades by previous Governments who had chosen to use terrorism for their own political benefit.
The attempts to tarnish the image of the army are obvious. People who never had anything nice to say about the armed forces when they sacrificed 27,000 of their lives to save over 195,000 Tamil civilians including amnesty for 12,000 former LTTE combatants which started from another water crisis in Mavil Aru will naturally aim to pin point the blame on the law enforcement of the country. There was never any intention to kill civilians. The public of Sri Lanka need to realize this and not fall prey to the insinuations being made. If anyone is at fault it is the local body authorities who had ignored the complaints made by the villagers.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that Weliweriya will end up another excuse to fast forward regime change irrespective of the truth. Let us await the investigation to conclude before coming to biased conclusions given that it is obviously clear the demonstrators were not unarmed and they were in possession of harmful items which had even resulted in a trishaw being set ablaze and they had even attempted to forcefully take possession of guns held by the soldiers. This is not how demonstrators demanding water in peaceful protest behaves ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” certainly not the ones who are genuine protesters!
The people should not fall for fabrications formulated by sources engaged in attempting to split the nation. What needs to be reiterated is that NO ONE died inside the Church, NO ONE was shot inside the Church, 3 youth died but the 3rd youth from Gampola did not die of gunshot injuries. The army went towards the Church to disperse the crowd that had been pelting stones from behind the church. It was the army who had evacuated the injured caused by people pelting stones from the Church in the army ambulance to the Gampaha hospital ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” even the youth who died from blunt objects hitting him was evacuated in the ambulance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The most ridiculous allegation is that the Defense Secretary ordered the shooting when the Defense Secretary was with the stakeholders of the area discussing with them how best to arrive at an amicable solution. That meeting started at 3p.m. and ended at 6:30p.m. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the situation turned violent from 5p.m. onwards, would those at the meeting not have been witness to such an order to shoot if such had taken place as is being alleged? The lies spread by even learned people should stop.
What needs to be done as priority is to first solve the drinking water issue, next we need to ascertain who were the culprits involved in hijacking the protests for water and of course how the 3 youth met their deaths.
August 11th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
Shenali/Fran,
Yes the Weliweriya situation was violent but it did NOT call for the use of live bullets, smashing cameras, assaulting nuns, shouting filth to the clergy, killing people.
COMPARE the Grandpass situation. It was very violent. Why wasn’t anyone arrested, shot dead, shouted with filth, etc.?
“What needs to be done as priority is to
1. first solve the drinking water issue.
2. next we need to ascertain who were the culprits involved in hijacking the protests for water and of course how the 3 youth met their deaths.”
FULLY AGREE. PLUS,
3. PUNISH the army personnel who brought disgrace to the army and SL. They HAD NO RIGHT to use live bullets, smash cameras, assault nuns, shout filth to the clergy, kill unarmed people.
All 3 must happen for this to end. BUT my bet is NONE of this will happen.
We must NOT lose sight of the BIG picture. I know we cannot agree on this but we should ALWAYS have the BEST interests of UNITARY SL in mind in whatever arguments we have. And I know you follow this principle.
August 12th, 2013 at 5:00 am
**We must NOT lose sight of the BIG picture. I know we cannot agree on this but we should ALWAYS have the BEST interests of UNITARY SL in mind in whatever arguments we have. And I know you follow this principle.**
Exactly! Exactly!
More and more of the cats will come out of the bags soon…….
August 12th, 2013 at 5:25 am
Lorenzo,
I think the army when they are deployed always carry with them live ammunition.
We do not know what information the Police had for them to call for the assistance of the Armed Forces. We should not forget that the Americans and other foreign anti government forces are awaiting to make an “Arab Spring” of these situation in Sri Lanka. The CIA Agents and the RAW must be moving in when there are situation like that of Weliveriya.
CIA now makes use of locals for their anti government activities for regime change. All these American facilities like the American Corner in Jaffna may be the centres of CIA activity. Indian RAW too may be in the Embassy and the visa offices.
The Foreign Governments are no that honest as we think.
Therefore we should not put the blame on the Army for what happened
August 12th, 2013 at 5:34 am
Enemy hands are behind in all those protests in Weliweriya or elsewhere. It’s pity that our people stand against the very heros who saved our land from barbaric LTTE terrorists who were fighting day and night,in rain and in sun sacrificing their lives. There maybe some bad apples in the armed forces but even though we should not fight or raise finger against them at any time as they were our heros who brought us freedom that we were enjoying today.
Now it’s a trend in Sri Lanka to protests for everything and anything. It’s a style now. We saw one old teacher from Royal sitting on the roof demading against her transfer. We see protests against elephants, humans, politicians, rain,sun and the moon etc we see many in different styles. We must unite and think hard who are the culprits behind in all these protests. Now the big day of Commonwealth meeting is coming to Sri Lanka so our enemies are trying their best to sabotage it by hook or crook. They want to start communal riots here and there and spread rumors to scare people. The Govt must not sit idle. They have to act wisely because the enemies use the print media and all the resaucers they can get hold to tarnish the Image of Sri Lanka before the big day. UNP,JVP,TNA and the NGO’s must be monitored carefully as they were all trying to sabotage this very important event in November. It’s the truth no one can deny it.
This is the time we have to be united as one nation and show the world of our unity. I feel sad because it’s not happenning in Sri Lanka at the moment. How many innocent lives we sacrificed to get our freedom? Can’t these blind idiots see the difference then and now and join this Govt to make our Motherland wonder of Asia? This is not the time for fighting each other among ourselves.Fighting is over now the time for prosperity,freedom and peace among all Sri Lankans who loves their land of birth. Stop finger pointing and help to rebuild the nation we love so much. Anything can be solved through dialog and discussions. Go for it than unneccessary violent protests. Nobody can gain anthing by violence excepr death and destruction.
August 12th, 2013 at 5:54 am
Charles,
Our army is VERY LOYAL. But that loyalty was MISUSED by SOMEONE to kill civilians, smash cameras, fire at a church, assault nuns, shout filth to priests, etc.
And those people are still without a permanent solution to their genuine water problem.
That is WRONG no matter what angle you look at it from.
I agree there are conspirators but the people who asked for water are NOT conspirators. Most of them came there with children.
There was NO NEED to deploy the army. It was a police matter. When facing a disturbance, police carry rubber bullets. When you shoot with LIVE bullets you intend to kill. There was no such need.
Then a WEEK LATER the police was instructed NOT to shoot the mosque attacking criminals!! Why is that?
I fully agree this MOSQUE CANCER must be stopped. But not by attacking them. They should have been shot dead instead. There is CLEARLY double standards.
August 12th, 2013 at 5:58 am
Ranjith,
It is NOT the army that INSTRUCTED the army to kill civilians, smash cameras, fire at a church, assault nuns, shout filth to priests, etc.
It is NOT the police that instructed themselves NOT to shoot at mosque attacking criminals. NO ONE has been arrested yet! Why?
MISUSING the loyalty of the army, politicians have created this mess. This is WRONG.
The govt. has given the signal MIGHT IS RIGHT. That is why people get to violence for everything. This I very dangerous.
August 12th, 2013 at 6:00 am
First, let us thank Shenali was a fine piece of investigative reporting. The picture is clearer now. More information has to come out as what actually happened at Weliweriya for what is ultimately at stake here is not just the honor of the SL Army and the life span of the GoSL, but the very integrity of this country called Sri Lanka.
—————–
Lorenzo,
I agree with you on points #1 & #2. On the deaths of the 3 people, bullet wounds killed two, but the third person died of wounds from the missiles aimed by crowd that came in later (some 5,000 people !), AFTER negotiations were completed.
Re #3 :
The Defense Secretaray has already made a statement that the IGP had requested the Army to help the Police at the protest site. Obviously the situation was getting out of hand and too difficult for the Police to handle alone. How the Army acts to control rioting or in any public crisis may be different to how the Police are allowed to/instructed to act. They may have different sets of rules and instructions. I have no idea what these rules are. I can only surmise that the Army rules give much more room for tougher action than the Police rules. This is the reality all over the world re their armies and police forces.
Were nuns ‘assaulted’ ? Would being pushed aside be considered ‘assault’ ? In what way were they ‘assaulted’ ? What role were the nuns & clergy playing in this situation ? Roughness on the part of the Army may have happened with any type of religious personnel, not just the church people, given the extent of the crisis at Weliweriya. May be the Army spokesmen can sort this out and tender an apology to the clergy concerned.
Lorenzo, sometimes culprits of a crime run to any religious places of worship for protection. We have to bear this reality in mind when passing judgment on the Army – their duty at that time was to catch the culprits who caused mayhem by using fire bombs and bottles loaded with sand. The Army claims that shots were fired too from among the crowd.
We have to wait and see the results of the 3 ongoing inquiries i.e. from the magistrates inquiry, CID inquiry and a separate army inquiry is yet to complete.
———-
‘Trustful are kinsmen best’ said the Buddha. The motto on the Indian flag says : “Truth wins”.
Sri Lanka should form a National Government to overcome the terrible and divisive politics of this nation.
August 12th, 2013 at 6:09 am
Shenali,
I disagree with the govt. version of events. They are EXCUSES for the killings, etc. NOT reasons.
PEOPLE’S version is all over the internet.
If the govt. is doing unpatriotic things, they cannot be tolerated. Now the govt. is misusing patriotism as well. Patriotism is NOT loyalty to the army or the govt. It is the loyalty to the nation and the people who love the nation.
Now there is Grandpass. What is the excuse there?
No one has been arrested!
This excuse business is getting ridiculous. At least now the govt. must act wisely. SHOOT when needed (Grandpass), do NOT shoot when not needed (Weliweriya).
Traitors will create problems now KNOWING very well the govt. MESSES THINGS UP in the lead up to Pillai woman’s visit.
August 12th, 2013 at 6:11 am
This was NOT how the govt. acted from 2005 to 2010.
August 12th, 2013 at 8:24 am
“Patriotism is NOT loyalty to the army or the govt. It is the loyalty to the nation and the people who love the nation.”
These are words that should be hewed on rock for all to SEE. LEARN and COMPREHEND.
That line is the sheer truth, the final truth, the absolute truth and the ONLY TRUTH. Indeed there is no other in this regard.
Mario Perera
Kadawata
August 12th, 2013 at 8:41 am
Our Hearts go out to the families who lost their grown children in this Weliweriya incident. We note with sadness that one woman has said “not to make political mileage’ out of her son’s death. She is so right in saying so.
Weliweriya is much more than meets the eye. Do not let this matter rest. It is another land mark event of the TRAPS set for Lanka. We have yet to learn after the Big One – 1983 Riots.
August 12th, 2013 at 9:00 am
Sri Lanka Army or the Police are not atall responsible for the sad incident.This agitation has been going on for many days according to aDIVAINA report and finally Gota Rhad discussuins with many involved and has aggreed for a settlement of cource cannot be fulfilled within a coupleof days.All the villagers and the priest had aggreed for Gota’s settlement and were about to leave the place.The JVPers who wereinterdicted by the Facotory for disciplinary reasons have protested and then only the exchange of stones,petrol bombs had started according to the media.Can the Army keepquite when they are being targetted by UNRULY RIOTERS??? More over, the MAIN ROAD WAS BLOCKED BY THE PROTESTERS BLOCKING LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES FOR MANY HOURS, Can these be tolerated?
August 12th, 2013 at 9:05 am
Because of this treacherous act by certain TRAITORS that have links to INGOs and certain Politicos, GOVT HAS INFORMED THE FACTORY AUTHORITIES TO SHIFT TO THE FACTORY ZONE AFTER 18 YRS OF WORKING AT VELIVERIYA.
Now WHO WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOOSERS???? THEY ARE VELIVERIYA RESIDENTS WHO WERE WORKING AT THE FACTORY AND THOSE WHO PROVIDED BOARDING PLACES FOR THE WORKERS!!!
This curse will BEFALL ON ALL WHO ORGANISED THE CLASHES!
August 12th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Jay-ran,
The above news you have given is a good and practical approach to the problem as a whole. Thanks for letting us know.
——–
Re: We have to also wait and see the results of the 3 ongoing inquiries i.e. from the magistrates inquiry, CID inquiry and a separate army inquiry. We hope the MEDICAL results re the victims, those who unfortunately died, and those who were injured, will be included in the 3 Reports.
August 12th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
At last the president has made a decision to relocate the factory and listen to the people.
If he had listened to the people BEFORE KILLING them many unnecessary nonsense could have been avoided.
Anyway better late than never.
Also a 5 member team is looking into the conduct of the army.
Now the opposition should cancel their protest. But will they?
August 12th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
People should be provided with pipe water.
This is the MAIN solution.
Pipe water now pumped OUT of Sinhala areas and into Tamil areas like Wellawatta, etc. must reduce so that it can be shared.
Like power sharing there should be a proper water sharing method.
August 12th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Shenali,
“Our Hearts go out to the families who lost their grown children in this Weliweriya incident.”
Thanks for this. They DID NOT die in vain. They were killed when asked for water.
The president has listened to their grievances yesterday WITHOUT BLAMING THEM which is VERY GOOD.
This is the way to BUST the URINEPEE, NGO and other traitors.
August 12th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Yes , Yes, Yes………..and Yes: Government killed the protestors and now give excuses., and they do not give the reasons. Only the persons of erudite could see it through and the “lessor mortals” have to venerate the analysis and be satisfied.
Yet, we lessor mortals, perhaps see this incident in some other way. We know this production company was operating for nearly 20 years. This had been a BOI approved factory and licensed by the CEA. So the authorities other than these two organizations are entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring its functions outside the manufacturing processes. As per the records this production unit produces 185,000 gloves a day and there was considerable waste disposal, (about 60,000 liters) approved by the authorities. It is an important production unit that distributes its products of 70 countries in the world which accounts for nearly 5% of the world’s production. So as far as Sri Lanka is concerned, it is a very important “ECONOMIC UNIT”. It’s Managing Director is an appropriately qualified and capable “SRI LANKAN”. It is known that he is a man of honesty and a good business manager who looks into every aspect of this production unit.
So for some reason or other the “water supply” to villages in the area got contaminated and everyone pointed the finger at the “negligence” on the part of the company in the disposal of the wastes. We all know it came to such a height that even a Buddhist Monk started a “fast unto death” demanding a solution to this problem. As per the demands, the company management and the other Governmental Authorities met the civil society representatives met and arrived at an amicable solution. Yet that “amicable solution” was violated and a massive protest was staged where the Police and the Armed Forces got involved in bring about “peace” and it went so far as to get three person killed and several others injured. Also we cannot forget the fact that 112 employees of this unit have been terminated from the services. So those who “participated” in that discussion can tell the truth, and challenge the “truth or otherwise” of the Government or the Company’s announcements. We have yet to hear some such authentic statements.
However this “tragic event” has now escalated to the “International Levels” and the HE The President, it is reported, made an order has been made to re-locate the whole production unit. In the meantime the manufacturing unit is “closed” and NO MORE PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS.
This as I said earlier is a very important economic unit and with the “CLOSURE” we now see “THE SUCCESS OF AN ATTACK ON AN ECONOMIC TARGET”. The IMPORTERS will now naturally have to turn to “OTHER SOURCES” for their supplies and even if production resumes in the near future, the “RELIABILITY” of supplies from Sri Lanka has been damaged. So those who escalated the “PROTEST” and the “TRAGIC KILLINGS” that took place have tarnished our image and further strength gained with that “HUGE AND CRY” for “ANSWERS” that “INTENDED HARD HIT ON ONE OF THE ECONOMIC UNITS” had been achieved.
IS THIS AN OMINOUS EVENT? That is what we lessor mortals are without answers.
August 12th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
The Sri Lankan economy has lost. The workers who may not re-locate to the new venue of the Factory have lost. Those who gave boarding facilities to some workers have now lost them. The whole area has lost revenue, jobs etc. The Factory has lost revenue till relocated and work starts again – when ?
It has NOT even been proved that the Factory effluent is the cause of water pollution there ! Curiouser and curiouser. Anyway, we await the results from the labs.
Now, who gains from all this ? Importers of gloves ?
August 12th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
SW,
SL economy has NOT lost. The factory will be RELOCATED not CLOSED.
DPL has other plants in the country. I don’t think they put gloves to the local market.
Weliweriya has certainly lost the business. That should teach people to be REASONABLE next time. (Still no justification for shooting civilians dead).
If govt. starts a pipe water system, EVERYTHING will be resolved. Why don’t they?
Water supplied to and wasted in Wellawatte is GOOD DRINKING WATER. Weliweriya is NOT ENTITLED to this comfort! :((
Even in Jaffna and Batticaloa there are pipe water schemes!!!
August 13th, 2013 at 6:33 am
Lorenzo,
It is I, Fran, who said ““Our Hearts go out to the families who lost their grown children in this Weliweriya incident.”
——————
SL Economy has lost funds in interim period during re-location. It will take a while to re-establish the factory and have it up and running. I can see the pros & cons of re-location of the factory. The factory people will find better facilities for their business in the BOI area, but the Weliweriya common people have lost a lot in jobs & revenue, plus various “feeder” businesses because of the factory.
However, those who planned mob attacks are the ones to be blamed for all this, not the President, who had nothing to do with it. The Jnt Opposition is taking sickening opportunities to blame the GoSL. GoSL is the last entity that wants trouble prior to the CHOGM ! But ‘modayas’ will buy such theories if $$ are given ! This is, yet again, testing time for the ordinary people of Lanka.
Now, who would want to de-stabilise Lanka at this point in time ???!!!
August 13th, 2013 at 6:34 am
“Abudassa Kalae, aththa naththa karanawa” !!
August 14th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Opposition held a SUPER MASSIVE protest against Weliweriya killings, etc. yesterday.
The LARGEST opposition rally EVER for over 5 years!!
People have decided. The govt. DUG ITS OWN GRAVE and gave the DEAD opposition a new life.
Govt. allowed the opposition to come BETWEEN the govt. and the people.
This has another problem. Tamilians in the north have their close relatives in Colombo and some live in both places. Now they too are convinced the massive support of NON TAMILS against the govt. If they had ANY suspicion of govt. getting even 20% of the NPC vote, now they will not.
At least now we must ADMIT the WELIWERIYA STUFF UP.
BEFORE it is reflected in election results!!!
August 14th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
FD/SW,
Relocation CREATES NEW BUSINESS activities.
But this has BIGGER problems for the govt. with the people RALLYING AROUND the useless opposition.
The POLITICAL INSTABILITY created by Weliweriya killings and Grandpass LAWLESSNESS is far greater economically.
August 14th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Lorenzo,
What do you suggest that GoSL does under the circumstances ?
August 14th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
1. Do NOT shoot civilians to death.
2. Do NOT smash cameras
3. Do NOT fire at a church, temple, etc.
4. Do NOT shout filth at the clergy
5. ACCEPT the wrongdoing of KILLING civilians
6. PUNISH the killers
7. GIVE water pumped out of Sinhala areas back to Sinhalese (and others) with a FAIR water sharing method
8. Start a clean PIPE WATER scheme for Weliweriya, etc.
9. HELP DPL relocate or effluent treat properly.
10. Learn the lesson why KILLING civilians by the army is NOT acceptable and stop doing it ever again.
That will dig a DEEP GRAVE for the opposition to jump in and die peacefully.
Grandpass Vasantham was busted because Muslims were affected!!
Now bust the Weliweriya Vasantham this way.
BUST the Yarl Vasantham by scrapping 13 amendment. Otherwise soon Vigneswaran and TNA will be singing MGR’s song, “kalangalil aval vasantham…………”
(Nice song though.)