A media conference was held by the Muslim Peace Assembly (MPA) of Puttalam at the PSM’s Puttalam regional office to coincide with the completion of 19 years of forcible eviction of Northern Muslims. A press release was issued thereafter by the MPA highlighting the concerns of the Northern IDP Muslims and the Host Community of Puttalam.

Local reporters of print and electronic media including Lanka Deepa, Thinakaran, Veerakesari, ITN , Thinakkural etc. participated at this media briefing. MPA Chairman Ash-Sheikh H. Abdul Nazar and Deputy Chairman Mr. M.C.M. Junaid responded to the queries.

Full text of the Press Release is as follows:

Appeal from the Forcibly Evicted Northern Muslims

As at 2009.10.30, 19 years have passed since the forcible eviction of Muslims from the North. At monthly meeting of the Puttalam Muslim Peace Assembly on 2009.10.24, it was decided to place the following requests to His Excellency the President of Democratic and Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Sri Lanka and other concerned persons. It is noteworthy that in the Puttalam Regional Muslim Peace Assembly both the Internally Displaced Persons and   the Local Community are represented.

Requests

1.    A Presidential Commission to be appointed immediately to inquire, probe into and submit a report with recommendations regarding the forcible eviction of Muslims from the north, with a vacate notice of just two (2) hours.

2.    To expedite the payment of compensation to the forcibly evicted who were greatly affected and who are still languishing as refugees in many parts of the country, particularly in Puttalam area.

3.    In resettlement events/activities, the Muslim Question be clearly informed and made public to the Muslim IDPs.

4.    In resettlement, priority be given to the 1990 forcibly evicted Muslims.

5.    The Prescription Ordinance should under no circumstances be applied to the properties of the forcibly evicted persons.

6.    The ownership of lands that belonged to the forcibly evicted Muslims should be restored to them.

7.    The number of members of the families forcibly evicted in 1990 has greatly increased during the 19 years. Therefore lands must be allocated to them during resettlement.

8.    The relief amount allocated to the forcibly evicted Muslims remains, even today, at the 1990 level despite the increase of prices for almost all commodities. Considering the present cost of living, which is still increasing, the relief amount must be enhanced to match the cost of living.

9.    The appointments to government jobs and in the allocation/sharing of resources, the share of the forcibly evicted Muslims of the north should be fairly and correctly distributed.

10.    To the families of the persons abducted during the war and about whom there is no information to date, payment of compensation should be expedited and certificates of death issued.

11.    A vast majority of the forcibly evicted Muslims have been living in and around Puttalam area for almost two (2) decades. As a result the original citizens of Puttalam have not received their due share in the allocation of lands, education and admission to universities, state jobs and other employment opportunities. All these losses should be compensated and expeditiously remedied in due manner.

2009.10.30

The Appeal will be sent to H.E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Opposition Leader, Hon. Minister of Resettlement and all print and electronic media.