Seed Caravan began at Thiru Murugandi in North

We met NP CM on Indian Trawler issue and WHF

We are at Badulla today

Platform for Freedom education program at Badulla district

Tribute to Thomas Kocherry at GA6

"Laal Salaam Comrade Tom"
We commemorated great fisher leader Thomas Kocherry at the GA6.
It is a honor though sad moment to come forward and pay gratitude to Tom says
Andy Johnston.
Tom was a leader. And a priest but not a worrior as he did not trust violence. But he ripped against globalization.
We marched against COFI some times. Tom and me had different views. We did not have common understanding for certain matters but compliment each other. It meke us to go very long journey.

Seth Macinko says "be careful with IGSSF"

Guidelines will alone not serve people unless you are clear about your vision on fishing for future.
Possibility of cooption is there in the corporate world unless we are clear what is going to happen.
We were fighting against privatization, community rights, rights to fisher comunities.
We need  people like Thomas Kocherry. We always remember how Tom guided us against the corporate globalization and it's evils on us.

LLRC Recommendations: Threat to sovereignty or enhance HR situation of Citizens

LLRC Education program was conducted at Hiripitiya, Kurunegala with the organizing of all ceylon peasant forum last week.
Francis Raajan and Roy Rodrigo, untiring training team attended the program there.
Mr. Abdul Razak, the secretary of the organization said, "this is the document our people opposed. But when we see the content it clearly indicates how the recommendations could strengthen the deteriorated HR situation in the country."
People learned that there are somany avenues to enhance the current human rights violations and democracy, minority rights, rule of law, IDPs and more.
A person who wanted to be anonymous said, " I am shame to be part of the people who protrsted against the LLRC recommendations and the resolution. Now only I realized the importance of these recommendations to ensure the rights of the citizens in the country."
We are happy that the prople are gradually learning from their mistakes.
We will continue the education work further in southern districts.

Why this much lies against civil society activities

The disappeared family member's meeting was disturbed by Monks and some thugs stormed to CSR last week, on 5th August and dispersed the gathering. The problem was then temporary settled with the police mediation.
However, the disturbances were extended further spreading lies through media, saying "There was a meeting organized to give evidences to Geneva investigating panel by Maha Veer Families[The families of the LTTE militants who lost their lives during the war] through Skype technology with a payment of 2 lakh SL rupees per person and in front of the foreign diplomatic persons including the acting ambassador of US embassy.
Some of the news papers, "Divaina" Sinhala news paper today with their analysis further deepen through saying "The intelligence service was found that there were very high technology was used to provide information, the grievances of the mothers of the families of the disappeared to Geneva directly from the meeting at CSR. Also, once the meeting was disturbed by Monks with robes, and the thugs, the Diplomats were hurried to dismantle the equipments and ran away from the premises as the report further explained.

So, the Civil Society Forum, lead by the right to life organization convened a press briefing yesterday, 12th August to respond the allegations against civil society over the 5th meeting.

Although we were able to answer the allegations against the 5th meeting, we were not able to answer the allegations appeared in todays news papers.
Number of Civil Society leadership attended yesterday press briefing and NAFSO leadership and activists also among them to strengthen the CSO forum.

CSOs are reacting to the NGO Secretariat Circular on 1st July.

The reactions are coming up from all the corners to the 1st July circular of the director NGO secretariat.
Following is the CSO statement which we want to send to NGO secretariat.
At the same time there will be a People's Gathering on the statement on 17th July, 4.00-5.00 pm at in front of the Fort Railway Station.

UPHOLD FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY

Against the backdrop of the growing authoritarianism of the Rajapaksha regime identified by:

a)       the dangerous and deepening deficit in democratic governance in our country as attested to by institutionalized militarization, the collapse of the rule of law and religious intolerance and

b)       the corrosive culture of impunity in respect of human rights violations and the demonstrable ineffectiveness of human rights protection mechanisms,

c)       as well as the shrinking of space for civil society and the denial of a civil society contribution to public policy discourse,

We the undersigned organizations unequivocally condemn the politics of religious intolerance and hate speech directed against the religious minorities most recently demonstrated by the orchestrated violence against the Muslim community  and the failure to hold accountable those instigating/responsible for the violence. We also categorically reject the arbitrary attempts by the regime to muzzle civil society through directives of the Ministry of Defence with no basis in law and in violation of Sri Lanka’s constitutional guarantees and international obligations and pledges, in addition to being flagrant violations of the fundamental rights of the freedom of speech, expression, assembly and association.

We resolve to come together in an alliance to:

a) combat this authoritarianism and reverse it,

b) strengthen human rights protection in our country,

c) advance the politics of toleration and

d) ensure that our country is a multi- ethnic and multi-religious functioning democracy whose governance is firmly rooted in the fundamental values and principles of democratic governance for all of its peoples without fear or favour.

We further resolve to expand our alliance to all civil society actors who agree with our basic values and aims and who have a demonstrable record of their commitment to them without qualification.  

Following is the banner display and circulate on the People's Gathering on 17th July.

“Stop the Promotion of Hatred and Faith-based Violence” – UN Rights Experts urge Sri Lanka

This piece shows the continuous pressure mounting on GOSL on the religious violence in SL. One hand we are talking about the ethnic, religious harmony in the country while on the other hand violating their basic rights, right to life and right to freedom of expression.
However, now the situation became to the peak as the law breaking thugs are challenging the law and order as well.

As the citizen of Sri Lanka, we all have a role to play in this juncture to come out and demand the equal treatment to all in front of the law, if the rule of law to be established.




The report of the OHCHR of Geneva could be seen as following link and this is followed by the text message.


Herman
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14812&LangID=E

GENEVA (2 July 2014) – Three United Nations experts on freedom of religion, minority issues, and summary executions today called on Sri Lanka to adopt urgent measures to stop the promotion of racial and faith-based hatred, and violence against Muslim and Christian communities by Buddhist groups with extremist views, and bring perpetrators of this violence to justice.

 

More than 350 violent attacks against Muslims and over 150 attacks against Christians have been reported in Sri Lanka in the last two years. Muslim and Christian communities are reportedly subjected to hate speech, discrimination, attacks and acts of violence throughout Sri Lanka frequently.

 

On 15 June 2014, a local group promoting extremist Sinhalese nationalist views, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS – The Buddhist Power Force), staged a large protest rally in Aluthgama that resulted in inter-communal violence, during which four people lost their lives and about 80 were injured. Homes and shops owned by Muslims, as well as mosques were vandalized and some set ablaze.

 

“This violence is fueled by the atmosphere of impunity in Sri Lanka,” the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, said. “Impunity and inadequate response from the police and judicial authorities aimed at protecting the lives, physical security, the property and places of worship of these communities may encourage further attacks and a risk of spiralling violence.”

 

Mr. Bielefeldt urged Sri Lanka to guarantee the right to freedom of religion or belief of members of minority religious communities and stop any advocacy of racial and religious hatred.

 

“The Government must end the violence and put in place urgent protective measures to ensure the personal security of all individuals belonging to religious minority communities living in the country,” the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák, stressed.

 

“The full range of rights of religious minorities must be guaranteed in law and protected in practice,” she noted welcoming the President’s announcement of the appointment of a high level panel to investigate those incidents.

 

The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, called on the Sri Lankan authorities “to take urgent and firm measures to bring the perpetrators of killings to justice, and ensure the immediate adoption of robust protective measures.”

 

“Showing determination to ensure accountability in such cases must be a key element of the Government’s efforts to prevent the attacks and guarantee the safety of the members of religious minority communities” Mr. Heyns said.

 

Alongside BBS, other groups promoting extremist views in Sri Lanka, such as the Sinhala Ravaya and the Hela Bodu Powura, purport to be the protectors of Sinhala Buddhism, which they claim is being threatened by Muslim and Christian religious minorities.

 

These extremist groups reportedly proclaim the racial superiority of Sinhala Buddhists and spread fear among local population, for example, through allegations that Buddha statues are being bulldozed by religious minorities, or that evangelical Christians are forcibly converting youths and sick patients in their hospital beds, or that Muslims are smuggling drugs and birth control pills in order to destroy Sinhalese people and prevent their reproduction.

 

“These statements contribute to spread a climate of fear among Sinhala Buddhists, who constitute the majority population in Sri Lanka, and resentment towards minorities,” the UN human rights experts said.

 

What is our role for democratic reforms?

Do we need to respond to the messages coming as the National and International agendas? This is very important as we want to see the democratic and social, economical reforms from any government elect tomorrow.
Once Ruki and Fr. Praveen arrested we talked about repeal of PTA. When international investigation announced from HRC we all jumped into that dialogue forgetting other factors. This reactionary process should be stopped and begin to plan for future direction of the country.
So, it is we need to conduct our dialogue towards the reforms as that is what we as CSO expect from any regime come to power.
What we expect for Education reforms?
What we want for Health, transportation,  services?
What do we propose for agriculture, fisheries, plantation sectors? What is our role on Environmental reforms. What is the future for IDP?
What is the future of children of WHF?

Do we want to mediate continuously with commitment efforts as CSO leadership?
Do we have the capacity to do this? Will the professionals and intellectuals , religious, artists join this and how it will happen and who take the leadership for that?
How this take to the wider civil society and build up environment for the reforms?
What are the major items to be included?
How do we expand the platform.?
How do we share responsibilities? What are our contributions? How do we make it a movement?
What is the coordination center?
What is the structure?
Need reforms for build up democratic and prosperous Sri Lanka.

VGSSF should not be limited to a document in shelves!

The fisheries in Sri Lanka is important in many aspects.  Being a coastal island most of the coastal communities are depending on fishing for their livelihoods. 70/. SL population depend on fish resources for their protein supply. It is more labor intensive and more depend on local markets for their productions. We export only 6/. of fish products hence it shows the contribution of local people for their food security.

"Sri Lankan delegation endorse the VGSSF. Howewer these Guidelines should not be limited to document. The contents of the document should be aggresively implemented nationally, regionally and internationally." Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, minister of fisheries emphasised at his presentation.
This is very important statement many of the international instruments are lying on the shelves with dust with out implementation. It is voluntary in nature and no binding and hence no obligation to implement what so ever besides moral and ethical binding to keep their word as they express in international fora.

Another set of Indian fishers released.

As a goodwill measure on the occasion of Narendra Modi's swearing in President Rajapaksa instructs release of all Indian fishermen in SL custody- adaderana.lk
Now Sri Lankan fisher communities, boat owners, affected family members should begin to demand from SL President and Indian Prime Minister to release all SL fishermen and boats held in various places in India.
On 22nd May one of my colleague Vincent Sebastian who is working in Sri Vimikthi Fisher women organization informed me the arrest of 3 SL boats and 14 fish workers by Indian coast guards. What will be the fate of Sri Lankan fishermen during the Modi regime. Need a solution for all of the fishers who suffers Indian trawler issue and deep sea fishery.

Change! Yes,With Reforms! NAFSO facilitated Jaffna Civil Society forum

There was a discussion held at Jaffna among civil society groups, academics, media, political leadership, IDPs, Fisheries groups on current socio, political and economic situation in the northern province.
* Political tension due to oppression,
* Ibternally Displaced People

NFF India take a strong stand on FIsher People's Issues-Press statement after Elections

In Sri Lanka, we have only one million fisher population and we are priviledged to have a Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic resources though there in no serious mechanism to redress the grievances of fisher people's. But, the case of India is totally different with 100 million fisher population in the country, there is no fisheries ministry established in the system and the fisher people's issues are to direct through ministry of agriculture and animal husbandry.

The NFF Chairperson, the counter part of NAFSO Sri Lanka, he had issued a press statement while congratulating newly formed Indian government under the Premiership of Narendra Modi of Bharatheeya Janatha Party demanding due attention to pay for the fisher population in India.
I thought it is good to share this information as we are concern about the trends of Indian politics as well as welfare of the Indian fisher people. However, it should state at this stage, I am personally and as a movement, we are not 100% agree to what Illango had stated in his statement over BJP and their future.

PRESS STATMENT of M. Illango.

                                      PRESS NOTE             

          National Fishworkers’ Forum, Chairperson M.Ilango – Ex.M.L.A., has stated the following, during the Press Meet held on 20.05.2014 at the Administrative Office of NFF at Pondicherry.   The details as follows:-

          NFF congratulates the Prime Minister Designate Shri. Narendhra Modiji and the Barathiya Janatha Party for their greatest victory in the 16^th Lok Sabha Election.   It also congratulates all the 543 newly elected members of  Parliament  to the 16^th Lok Sabha.

          Fishermen Community who are living in the 36 Indian States including 7 Union Territories, in which marine fishers are living in the 13 Coastal States and Inland fishers are living in 36 States had not been paid any attention or due care or adequate representation in the Parliament during the past 65 years by the Central Governments governed by the Congress and other parties. 

          To cite this inattentive nature of Central Government, NFF conducted various agitations throughout the Nation during the past 1-1/2 years.

          Posing the main demands as

1.   Create separate Ministry in the Centre for fisheries and fishermen welfare and

2.   Include the fishermen Community into the Scheduled Tribe list

NFF dragged the attention of the then Prime Minister, Central Ministers, Members of Parliament, Chairperson of UPA through its five days Dharna in New Delhi during March 2013, in front of Parliament at Jantar Mantar.

          But as usual, no fruitful steps had been carried out by the then Central Government.  

          To emphasize our demands for redressal under the Chairmanship of M.Ilango, the NFF office bearers along with other important leaders met the then Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, Mrs.Sonia Gandhi, President of INC, Mr.Rahul Gandhi, Vice President of INC, Prime Minister Designate Shri.Narendra Modi, Mr.Rajnath Singh – President BJP, Mrs.Sushma Swaraj, Mr.Arun Jaitly, Mr.Nithin Katkari, all BJP leaders and all other National and regional political party leaders and requested them to include the main demands of National Fishworkers’ Forum in their Election Manifesto which was to be released for the Lok Shaba Election and also requested the leaders to openly support our demands and asked them to announce the acceptance of our demands during their Election Campaign.

          We extend our heartiest gratitude to the National and Regional political parties which included our demands in their Election Manifesto and also for their announcement of the acceptance of our demands during the time of their Election Campaign.

          The leaders of BJP, Prime Minister designate Mr.Narendra Modi, Mr.Rajnath Singh, Mrs.Sushma Swaraj, Mr.Arun Jaitly, Mr.Nithin Katkari have openly promised during their election Campaign to fulfill the long pending important demands of fishermen community including the setting up of a separate Ministry for fisheries and fishermen welfare under the Union  Government.

          We strongly believe that it is the responsible duty of BJP and its leader Shri.Narendra Modi and others to execute their promises, since they are to ascend their Union Government at present. 

          It is also our duty to inform the BJP that during the 55 years of rule at Central by the Congress party and 6 years of tenure by BJP, no representation in the Central Cabinet had been provided to the fishing community.

          As a measure of redressal, this time the entire fishing community is eagerly waiting for a berth to its community representative in the Union Cabinet and also creation of a separate Ministry for fisheries at the Centre.  

          In order to emphasize  our request, the NFF is planning to send a letter to the Prime Minister and other leaders and also to meet them in short span of time to press our demands.  

          The entire Nation knows that BJP is the party which attributes great pride to the history of Mahabharatha for its moral values and since the entire Mahabharatha has its origin by a woman from fishermen community – the origin tribes of this Country,  to commemorate our Community, we expect justice and speedy salvation of our demands and requests at the earliest.  

          We are very grateful to the high valued culture to select a fisherman from the State of Gujarat to Rajya Sabha, unopposed during March 2014, just 2 months ago.   Likewise, we expect from Mr.Narendra Modiji to provide a berth in the Central Cabinet to a fisherman of the 16^th Lok Sabha.   

With Warm Regards,
M.Ilango Ex. M.L.A.

Enact Right to Information act- Commemorate world press freedom day

Action committee for press freedom organized a campaign demanding enact right to information act on 5th May at Fort station Colombo.
The organizers launched a petition demanding enact the bill which was got the support from various civil groups, politicians, artists and religious organization and more.
The main organizer of the campaign Saman Wagaarachi, the editor of Lakbima news paper is under threat of his job as he lead the media campaign signed the petitions first in the list.
The politicians, civil leaders and religious leaders signed the petition.

Pallimunai: Another victimized community in Mannar

Pallimunai is another coastal village in Mannar district. They are also have so many pathetic stories of adverse effects of the brutal war which was ended exactly 5 years ago in May, 2009.
However, the peace dividences were not reached the Pallimunai west community as Police were occupied their houses until 2011. When police released the houses around 19 in number, navy occupied the same houses with out handing over them to settle in their houses.
Pallimunai west community expected to take legal action demanding their houses and occuopied land back from Navy. However legal procedure is also not in favour of the community members who lost their own land and houses at Pallimunai.
What would be our future?
We want our land and houses back. We dont want any compensation at all. If the government allow us to return to our homes that is all what we expect from them. We will reoair our damaged houses our own.

Have we Sri Lankan assessed the consequences of the Resolution on SL at UN HR Council at Geneva

There were 3 resolutions on Sri Lanka during the past 3 years of 2012, 2013 and this year. When we closely observe the countries those who supported to the resolution against Sri Lanka, it is clear those are the countries we are having very strong trade relationships in an international trade. At the same time, the countries those voted against the resolutions and supported to Sri Lanka are not having such relationship rather we import from those countries than exports. According to the 2012 and 2013 records, the trade relationships are important with the countries those supported to resolution and voted against the Sri Lankan stand. Those countries who supported to resolution and voted against Sri Lanka have contributed to 80% of the exports and 60% of imports in those two years. However, it is obvious all the other countries contribution in the trade among Sri Lanka are 20% for exports and 40% in imports. The other important factor is to consider is that the trade balance of the international trade with the exports and imports. However, this is really an alarming situation as the trade balance of the international trade in those countries who supported to the resolution is [+] positive as the export income has exceeded the import expenditure. When we consider the trade balance with the countries who supported to the resolution against Sri Lanka in 2014, it is + 3.2 Billion USD and is an important figure in Sri Lankan international trade context. Where as the trade balance among the countries who voted against the resolution and supported to Sri Lankan stand was [-]4.1 Billion USD. However, it is not considered the trade balance between Sri Lanka and India. It is around [-] 2.6 Billion USD in 2013. It is obvious fact that the trade balance is important to a country like Sri Lanka. When we see the information based on the Sri Lanka Customs records it is we, Sri Lankans depend on higher percentage of foreign exchange earnings on trade relationships from the countries who supported to the UN HRC resolution in all three years [Except India during the year 2014]. Is this not an alarming situation? If the Sri Lankan government continue to say, "We don't allow any one to come to the country for any investigation based on the UN HRC resolution adopted." what would be the consequences on trade and foreign exchange earnings from those countries? They contribute higher percentage for the National Economic Growth as the contribution from export earnings to the Gross Domestic Product [GDP] was 16% in 2013. Can we forget all these positive relationships and continue to say we do not cooperate any international investigation process.? This is really consider our politicians before we take such decisions. Trade is one part. But there are many other aspects. Military cooperation, international cooperation on development, education, technology transfers etc. etc. So, this is a crucial stage the whole country come to a consensus how to move forward forgetting the divisions. But, there are basic matters to fulfill by the GOSL as the implementation of the recommendations emerged from the LLRC report is the basis for the cooperation from the opposition parties, civil society and concern other parties including international community. As we failed to implement our own identified recommendations, international community come to interfere internal matters which is a shame as a nation. Source: Verite Research

CGR substitute workers on Hunger Strike

The CGR substitute workers are under hunger strike for the third day demanding permanent their jobs. Interestingly the hunger strike is leading the workers belong to the ruling party trade union. It was reported 3 out of 10 protestors were hospitalized yesterday including the secretary to the union as their physical situation was so critical.
The report said the transportation minister visited the campaign site at Fort station and requested to give up the hunger strike saying he will take the responsibility to get the cabinet approval for the letter prepared by his ministry though the protestors denied tge request and continued the protest further aggressively.
Media reported again the blocking of railway lines by protestors caused to delay 10 railways yesterday and the situation was so tensed.
Now there are more than one thousand workers are awaiting to see what the cabinet decision over their issue as the cabinet meeting to be held today, on Wednesday,

United May day celebrations

The discussoons are going on for a united May day celebrations among Negombo based civil organizations, human rights groups, women groups and media activists.
This would be done with the monthly commemoration of Roshen Chanaka, the killed FTZ worker at the Private Pention bill struggle in 2011.
NAFSO took the initiative to push the idea to bring possible groups together at the stake holder meeting conducted in early April at Negombo. Now the discussions are successfully completed the second round and becoming more clear how to proceed.
All the groups have agreed principaly on the idea and now we need to make final finer arrangements.
We expect Sri Vimukthi women group, Right to Life, FTZ trade unions, Meepura would join the organizing work with NAFSO.

Hambantota: None Free Zone of the Country

On 17th April, 5 UNP MPs had attended a field visit to observe the development of Mattala Rajapakse International air port and Hambantota international harbour. Both are claimed as the major development projects to the country and boasts with high appreciation. However, an organized group seems to lead by Mayor of Hambantota urban council disturbed, harassed and attempted to physically harassed in front of higher police officials within the Air port premises as well as at the harbour.Throwing rotten eggs, tomatoes and many other harrasments were reported in the media disturbing the observatory visit of the opposition MPs. At the same time, Media reported through videos and photographs, that the Hambantota mayor was carrying a pistol in his hand while chasing behind the MPs. In a continuous media campaign organized by state media quoted the mayor saying, "I wanted to save the MPs from the group. I did carry a TOY pistol which was found after searching the hip of some one around me. in fact I am a victim of the good deed I wanted to perform to save the group." We have some questions to raise at this moment: 1. What is the Police did at this type of organized thuggery and gang illegally enter in to Public premises and disturbed the public actions? 2. Why the police did not arrest any of the thugs, including the Mayor who carried a Pistol threatening MPs and others who were attended the visit? 3. The violation of Parliamentary privileges of those MPs is also a concern as the Public representatives they have the right to report to the people about the realities of those so called Mega development projects. 4. What is the responsibility of the judiciary and the followed by legal actions against these type of henious actions of organized thugs. Finally we congratulate the brave UNP MPs who attempted to reveal truth to the public while putting their lives in to danger. These actions of organized thugs again proved "Hambantota as None Free Zone in the Country".

Is this the way Lord Buddha preached to protect Buddhism

Rev. Vatareka Vijitha thero made a public media statement yesterday. He categoricaly stated that those two persons with robe, I dont want to write their names as they are already well known for thuggery, death threat to him and due to fear he, made a statement in front of media.
We would like to ask my fellow Buddhist friends"is this the way Lord Buddha preached to protect Buddhism?"
"Do you Buddhists approve these types of thuggery while wearing robe?"
"What is the high priests in Nikayas say about these henious actions?"
"How long the Sinhala Buddhist enjoy these types of actions of monks wearing the robe and act thugs role?"
"Do you have an idea who, what powers behind those thugs?

Provincial council election

Western and southern provincial council elections held last week gave a messages to both ruling party and opposition. 
President Mahinda made it a point to respond to defeat of Geneva resolution and teach a lesson to international community those who brought resolution on SL.
This time Geneva devil has not worked.  People havent listened to President's  appeal from people. But people were brave enough to say No we do not mislead with your lies.

Message to ruling party is to change their strategies of development and to change the democratic rights violations, space for dissent, stop violation of human rights defenders rights, rule of law and more.
The rate of casting votes was just 50/ 100 and lower. Opposition was not able to bring those voters to the polling station.  This should be changed if the oopiaition really want to make a challenge to the present regime.
When the opposition come together and bring voters to polling station the fall of the regime is obvious.
We are looking forward how the opposition parties take this challenge.

The World Day of Social Justice- February 20

We, NAFSO and many other social movements in Sri Lanka demand Social Justice. This is not only cry for Sri Lankan social movements, but world wide campaigns are focus the social justice globally. February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice which gives a validity of our campaigns and struggles as oppressed people expect justice to live in peace and harmony in the society. This may be a strength to all those fight for Social Justice, where ever corner we fight for it. When People United can never be defeated.

Pressure Mounting on Casino: Buddhist Monks launched anti Casino Campaign at Kalpitiya

Tourism supposed to be the most important development strategy on the Sri Lanka for coming years. The targets are clear and country should provide all the facilities cater the needs to tourism. We expect to provide hospitality to 4 million tourists by By 2020. What do they Need? they need Sun, Sand, Sea and Sex. And also, gambling. So, the tourism promoters and silently agreeing citizens in the country should be ready to face these "developments" in the country. People in the country should be ready to provide the Land for tourist hotel constructions, Golf Course building, beach park constructions, Sea Plane landings, Spa and Cabana constructions and many more. It is a fact that we need to provide facilities for Sex as it is happening in Thailand or any other tourist destinations to compete for tourist attractions. Spreading of Drugs along the coast is unavoidable as it is happening today. Kalpitiya people are beginning to complain about the cultural abuses already even though there is no full fledged tourism began already. Some cases were reported already which tourists were abusing children in Kalpitiya. Although, some Buddhist monks are behaving like thugs, extremists, and drunken persons, there are so many Buddhist monks still remain in this society as "Sanga" who are following the path of Lord Buddha. They are the Sanga who come forward for any national disaster and save the country. Rev. Bandiwewe Diyasena thero who is the chief incumbant of the Samudrasanna Viharaya, Kandakuliya has come forward to save the nation as a follower of Lord Buddha. He had launched a campaign against Casino, Drugs, Prostitution and all abuses in the country. Rev. Bandiwewe Diyasena thero together with 6 other monks and more than 100 men, women and children marched along the streets of Kalpitiya town yesterday distributing leaflets, pasting posters and preaching the evils of tourism, casino, drugs and prostitution rapidly spreading in the country. Herman

Are we moving towards wonders in Casino?

Casino, the well known debate today in the political circles in Sri Lanka. GOSL is planning to bring more casino kings and queens to earn foreign exchanges from the tourists who come to SL for play casinos. Australian casino businessman James Parker became the key note speaker at the CHOGM business conference held in Colombo during the CHOGM conference. This it self shows how far the importance given by the GOSL on Casino and tourism to save the country from the sinking ship. Tourism is the main development strategy of the GOSL hence it is a requirement to cater to the needs of star tourism, if ever such super class tourists come to SL. However, it is Maldives play the major role in tourism industry in the region and we are doubt that there is such tourists attraction both the neighboring countries. As far as we learned, the majority tourists come to SL from Russia and China and they are not spend a cent for their expenses extra. Some of the three wheel drivers says, :These bloody folks are trying to bargain even below the rate of locals provide to the three wheelers. So, this is the situation of so called tourists and earnings of our local small business community. GOSL while promoting mass tourism, prepare plans for super class tourism which is misleading business plan of the authorities. Even though we are not promoting this type of destruction in the coastal communities, we are concern about the consequences of the long run. Will there be a future for our next generations to come? Gambling,[Casino], Liquor and Sex are the main tourism attractions. What is the assurance that there will not be put in to the trap of our future generations.? The Buddhist leaders of the 4 chapters clearly stated that they are totally against Casino and gambling and to protect the future generations. Not only Buddhist, the catholic bishops are also not in favour on Casino at all. I learned that there will be a big Buddhist monks gathering against Casino on 7th January at Kalutara. My friend Rev. B. Diyasena also will play a vital role at the meeting as there is a leaflet also printed by him with his own expenses. This is going to be a big battle ahead of the country. Herman