Fishermen swallowed up by the war in the North East: families demand justice
Colombo (AsiaNews) – The government of Sri Lanka has agreed to consider the requests made by families of fishermen who have been missing since 1991when they disappeared in waters off the North East of the country. The decision came yesterday following a meeting between Premier Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka with the families.
About 25 representatives from South and North East regions who associated with the ‘ Organization of disappeared fishermen’s parents, wives and children ’ explained the pathetic situation they have been undergoing since 1999 , without any justice or attention paid to the plight of their disappeared, who were the family bread-winners. “Adding to the pain of our loss – the victims explained – is the institution’s frustrating deafness to our appeals”.
P.M. Keerthipala, 65, Chairman of the ‘Organization of disappeared fishermen’s parents, wives and children’ explained to the Prim Minister that they have “already explained their situation to all the heads of State since 1999 but no proper solution they had received for their demands,” – he added - “Sir, at least you must pay attention to our demands for the sake of humanity”.
R. S. Shanthi from Matara, a 53 year-old mother of disappeared son 04 November 1997 while fishing in the Trincomalee sea, described her agony to the Prime Minister “please help us to find out any information about our loved ones children… husbands .. and brothers. We believe that they are still alive some where in this world”.
Nirmala Priyadharshani , 35 year-old young mother of two children from Trincomalee district whose husband was disappeared In 1999 February 21 while fishing in the Trincomalee sea joined the discussion representing the Trincomalee Widows and parents. According to her there are about 400 women have faced problems without their bread-winners.
About 150 families have registered with the Organization of disappeared fishermen’s parents, wives and children; they are demanding information about their disappeared, who they believe are still alive some detained by the Liberation of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been waging a war for independence of the north of the country for the past 20 years. The group has further requested that the government assures any suitable employment for their young family members. Finally they have asked that a sustainable program for getting dry rations regularly throughout the year is set up.
Wickramanayaka listened to their requests, but made no promises: “I can understand your agony and feeling that you are suffering with your disappeared close relatives. And I am regret about the situation now you are undergoing, I will discuss them with the President and I will do whatever I can.” The premier then asked those present to hand him over a list with all the details of disappeared fishermen and their families, including their addresses so that food rations could be resumed as soon and as regularly as possible.
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