SEE HOW MR-REGIME MARGINALISE EP-TAMIL/MUSLIM PEOPLE!!!

Eastern Muslims & Tamils still left out - CMTPC
Tuesday, 09 December 2008 12:33
"The idea of development such as building roads and rebuilding tanks are critical for the rehabilitation and development of the East. There are other ambitious plans of constructing factories, coal power stations and highways. But where the local people fit into this program of 'Negenahira Navodaya' is still open to question." notes a report issued by the "Coalition of Muslims and Tamils for Peace and Co-existence" (CMTPC).

The CMTPC in its report titled "The New Democracy in the East" says they have been told by concerned parties that development programmes did not profit local communities, as construction companies are from the South and bring their work force along with them and thus leads to a sense of alienation among local communities. "It is a colonial mind set." the report notes.

In its extensive coverage of the present East, the report says, "Add to this the proposals for providing land for Sinhalese and the restoration of Buddhist sites and the scene is set for unnecessary tension. In two of our previous reports we focused on the fears of the local communities of state sponsored colonization efforts in the militarized region. The government website carries a page on its programme for the next three years for cultural and archaeological preservation which is almost wholly of Buddhist sites. We note with surprise here, that not a single Muslim site has been ear marked for cultural preservation or as a heritage-site. Also, the omission of Koneswaram, Trincomalee, parts of whose ancient Pallava structure from the destroyed are in the nearby sea bed is telling."

"We, the Coalition do not oppose the distribution of land or the preservation of an ancient history and culture in a fair, unbiased manner, but express deep reservations about the manner in which they are being currently undertaken with groups like the JHU using their proximity to power to carry out their chauvinistic agenda." the report adds.

The CMTPC can be contacted --------- peaceandcoexistence@yahoo.com
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