"Inter-Congregations of North and South of Sri Lanka" consisting of 18 women and men members set out for an exposure programme to the existing refugee camps in Vanuniya and Mannar areas. It was planned for 15th–20th Sept. 2008, organized by RJPR
We received this information from the members of an Inter-congregational group from the North and South of
Sri Lanka who have visited these areas. "Inter-Congregations of North and South of Sri Lanka" consisting of 18 women and men members set out for an exposure programme to the existing refugee camps in Vanuniya and Mannar areas. It was planned for 15th–20th Sept. 2008, organized by RJPR (Religious for Justice Peace and Reconciliation).
In fact the main motivation for organizing this outreach was hearing the media release by the Government that the people of Vanni (LTTE-controlled area) would be crossing over to Vavuniya. (Government controlled area) and that preparations were being made to accommodate them. On their arrival in Vavuniya the said group was shocked to realize that what they had heard and read were mere propaganda. Still the members divided into two groups and went their way to the existing refugee camps in Vavuniya and Mannar.
The people in each camp have their own unique stories. A group living in a place known as Thandikulam on the outskirts of Vavuniya related their story, which goes back 50 years. They were driven from
Colombo, Kandy, Matara and Kegalle during the 1958 riots. Eventually all these IDP (Internallly Displaced People) were given plots of land to settle on. The sad part is they still do not own the deeds to such lands nor possess any other authorized document. Since their ownership has not been validated they continue to worry about their children’s future. Another group of IDP in this area has lived in huts since 2002. The people in Sithamparapuram too tell a similar story. While the group was there, two priests and a nun arrived from Vanni where there had been heavy shelling and bombing. The group was touched by one of the experiences related by the nun. She had to come to Vavuniya with the van which had been damaged in an accident (in which thankfully nobody was seriously hurt). Before she set out, the community members, three of them, held each other’s hands and prayed for a safe journey. Knowing the situation of the country and the frightening journey which lay ahead of them, the unspoken words and feelings arose from the possibility that they might never meet each other again. Their trust in God’s providence and in one another was great.
The visit to the refugee camps in Mannar area caused the group to ponder. They were heartbroken to see the set-up of the camps which are the new residences for IDP. Most of the people who live in these so-called camps have come from the Vanni area. These camps look more like open prisons than residences, as they are situated behind barbed wire. The people are kept inside under military control. The IDP have no freedom of movement. The priests, religious and relatives are seldom given permission to visit them. The group was not even given permission to visit one of the camps. There are no words to describe the inhumanity of the condition of these people. They are even frightened of being abducted within the camp itself. The all-important question is, who is responsible for the welfare of these people? To whom will they go to plead for Justice? Is there any response to the cries of our sisters and brothers in distress?
The Lord Yahweh said, “I have seen the misery and heard the cry of my people…” Moses responded to the call of Yahweh.
It is time for us to wake up and respond as Moses did. The Lord is with the Suffering. The Lord Himself knows what it means to be displaced. He is calling for more and more “MOSES” to set our people free!