In a packed media conference held at the Marichchakatti Jumma Mosque, Commerce and Trade Minister Rishad Bathiudeen strongly refuted the allegations levelled against him of attempting to create Muslim colonies in Wilpattu. Following are the excerpts of his explanations to questions raised by the journalists
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressing the media
“I say this with responsibility that no one is resettled in or on the borders of the Wilpattu Park. We also love to protect our forests and will not allow to destroy the forest. I challenge anyone to come forward to prove that there are illegal settlers resettled by me.
“On 27 October 1990, Muslims in Mullikulam, Marichchakatti, Tharadikulli and Palakulli villages were given only two hours by the LTTE to leave their villages. Most of them fled to Puttalam and some to Kalpitiya by boats. There were 168 IDP centres in Puttalam. In 2010, with the dawn of peace, they were requested to return to their villages but they had to wait till the Government completed mine clearing in their villages. There were three mosques at Karadikuli, Palikulli and Marichchakatti and old wells used by the villages but there were no houses.
“I clearly say that there is no one outside of the north or any other nationals among these resettled people. Anyone can check this by going through the electoral register in these areas, which has their names since 1990. According to the recommendations of the LLRC, the previous Government decided to resettle all IDPs in their original lands after providing them with houses and infrastructure facilities. The Presidential Task Force to look into resettlement process was appointed together with a sub-committee including all Environment, Wildlife, Economic Affairs and Defence Ministries. This committee was represented by all the relevant Government officials from grama sevakas to ministry secretaries. They followed all the proper procedures in resettling these people.
“Over 100,000 Muslims were chased away from their villages during the war but only 30,000 Muslims have been resettled up to now. The balance 70,000 are still in Puttalam, Anuradhapura and other districts. Out of 30,000, only 2,000 people are living here in these villages. These people came here as they are given Rs. 50,000 each to have temporary shelters through the divisional secretary last December. Out of the 2,000 people, most of them have returned to Puttalam or other districts as life in these villages is difficult with no infrastructure facilities.
“I requested President Sirisena to appoint a committee and take tough action against those who have violated the correct procedures in resettling these people. I also request the people of Sri Lanka and the Government not to do any injustice to these people who are returning their homelands after 25 years of displacement.”
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Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressing the media
“I say this with responsibility that no one is resettled in or on the borders of the Wilpattu Park. We also love to protect our forests and will not allow to destroy the forest. I challenge anyone to come forward to prove that there are illegal settlers resettled by me.
“On 27 October 1990, Muslims in Mullikulam, Marichchakatti, Tharadikulli and Palakulli villages were given only two hours by the LTTE to leave their villages. Most of them fled to Puttalam and some to Kalpitiya by boats. There were 168 IDP centres in Puttalam. In 2010, with the dawn of peace, they were requested to return to their villages but they had to wait till the Government completed mine clearing in their villages. There were three mosques at Karadikuli, Palikulli and Marichchakatti and old wells used by the villages but there were no houses.
“I clearly say that there is no one outside of the north or any other nationals among these resettled people. Anyone can check this by going through the electoral register in these areas, which has their names since 1990. According to the recommendations of the LLRC, the previous Government decided to resettle all IDPs in their original lands after providing them with houses and infrastructure facilities. The Presidential Task Force to look into resettlement process was appointed together with a sub-committee including all Environment, Wildlife, Economic Affairs and Defence Ministries. This committee was represented by all the relevant Government officials from grama sevakas to ministry secretaries. They followed all the proper procedures in resettling these people.
“Over 100,000 Muslims were chased away from their villages during the war but only 30,000 Muslims have been resettled up to now. The balance 70,000 are still in Puttalam, Anuradhapura and other districts. Out of 30,000, only 2,000 people are living here in these villages. These people came here as they are given Rs. 50,000 each to have temporary shelters through the divisional secretary last December. Out of the 2,000 people, most of them have returned to Puttalam or other districts as life in these villages is difficult with no infrastructure facilities.
“I requested President Sirisena to appoint a committee and take tough action against those who have violated the correct procedures in resettling these people. I also request the people of Sri Lanka and the Government not to do any injustice to these people who are returning their homelands after 25 years of displacement.”
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