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Sri Lanka`s forgotten displaced Muslims
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 - 8:31 PM SL Time
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As the world focuses on displaced Tamils in northern Sri Lanka, a large group of Muslims forcibly ejected from the north by Tamil Tigers 20 years ago are finally contemplating a return home.
There are more than 100,000 Muslims living as refugees across Sri Lanka .
Many are in Puttalam - a small fishing town on the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
They vividly remember the day when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forced them to leave at gun point.
`On 27 October 1990, I was working in the fields. LTTE cadres came and asked us to leave the place within two hours. We took a few clothes in plastic carrier bags and walked a long way,` says an elderly man now living in a Puttalam camp.
The entire Muslim population of Sri Lanka`s northern province moved out fearing brutal attacks by the LTTE.
The overwhelming majority of Sri Lankan Muslims speak Tamil as their first language. Yet they are regarded as a separate ethnic minority in Sri Lanka .
The LTTE`s eviction of Muslims from the north was preceded by a massacre in the east. Suspected Tigers opened fire at two mosques near the town of Batticaloa, killing more than 100 people.
The LTTE accused the Muslims of allying with the Sri Lankan government.
Difficult life
Many Muslims living in Puttalam are happy about the fall of the Tamil Tigers. But they are not sure about going back.
`We are happy that LTTE is defeated. This gives us hope that we can go back. But we can go only if the government helps us. We want assurances about our safety,` says Nawaz.
Local Muslim leaders want government help in tracing back properties to original owners as many people were not able to take their documents when they fled the area. They are also worried about security.
Amir runs a shop amid the rows of houses built by the displaced people. He says he wants to go back to Jaffna .
`I am 51 now. I would like to go back to Jaffna and spend the rest of my life there. Here the conditions are not good,` he says.
People here say there is an acute shortage of water. They say successive governments have done little for them.
But others have developed a liking for Puttalam.
Zawana came here as a child and had her children here. Her mother and other relatives are keen to go back. But she feels Jaffna would be alien to her.
Mohamed Kabir, a leader of the Muslim Front, says people are yet to be convinced that the LTTE is fully destroyed.
But a Muslim MP from the pro-LTTE political party, the Tamil National Alliance, says these fears are baseless.
`The LTTE has realised its mistake and even asked the Muslims to come back. So I can say with 100 percent confidence that no harm will be done to them,` says Mohammad Imam.
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CheGuevara
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 23 Jun 2009 13:55:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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Local Muslim leaders want government help in tracing back properties to original owners as many people were not able to take their documents when they fled the area. They are also worried about security.
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Damed
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 23 Jun 2009 13:56:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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| They being living for decades in puttlam...but having Good life when compare to normal citizens. |
EEELamaya
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23 Jun 2009 13:57:14 GMT Report for Abuse
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But a Muslim MP from the pro-LTTE political party, the Tamil National Alliance, says these fears are baseless
This Muslim MP must have learned from VP all the tricks... Now its Muslim's turn to carry on the tradition of constant wars as cronicled in Mahawansam...!
Sri Lanka history is decorated with wars and war heroes... we must keep that history going...!
Edited By - EEELamaya - 23 Jun 2009 13:59:10 GMT |
Damed
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23 Jun 2009 14:00:43 GMT Report for Abuse
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| They have became a strong vote base for Muslim politicians and some will purposely try to keep them in puttlam. |
AnuD
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 23 Jun 2009 14:19:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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There are more than 100,000 Muslims living as refugees across Sri Lanka .
but, 300,000 Wanni Maaveerar families Makkal Padayans are the center of world's concern. |
Roshan2007
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 23 Jun 2009 14:20:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Re-settling 300,000 tamils and 100,000 muslims...
It is a daunting task. |
AMIGO
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 23 Jun 2009 14:21:20 GMT Report for Abuse
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Its now time to clean the Under world
Showdown in Maligawatte
Police and army have surrounded the applewatte area in Maligawatte to flush out an armed gang said to be hiding in the vicinity. The joint operation was launched this morning and according to police at least one suspect was arrested earlier.
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Damed
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23 Jun 2009 14:24:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Basil will mix them nicely....see what went in East...same will in North....with navy round the waters...military in and out....no easy way out for cubs. |
deborak
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23 Jun 2009 14:31:36 GMT Report for Abuse
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I belive is Indian RAW may be arming these Muslim groups same like they armed LTTE in early 70s
What abt this person's belonging robbed by the lttp terrorists!
Must make the diaspora to pay them back!! |
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23 Jun 2009 14:01:52 GMT