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Mannar at a crossroads: Protests, Promises and the Fight for Justice
Written By Joining Hands Network on Monday, August 25, 2025 | 11:51 PM
Mannar at a crossroads: Protests, Promises and the Fight for Justice
By
Ceylon Today
-
August 23, 2025 2:02am
0
Text and Pix by Shabeer Mohamed
For the past 18 days, the people of Mannar have been gathering in continuous protest against large-scale wind power projects and sand mining activities that they say threaten both their land and their livelihoods. What began as small community-level resistance has now grown into a strong, islandwide conversation about development, environmental protection, and the rights of local people.
Mannar Island is not new to struggle. Its residents, already burdened by decades of war and displacement, now face fresh challenges from projects that promise “clean energy” and “economic growth” but in reality raise serious concerns about long-term damage to the environment, destruction of fishing grounds, loss of livelihoods, and the violation of community rights.
The people’s demand is simple: development that respects the land, sea, and communities of Mannar. Yet, despite repeated appeals, authorities have failed to provide clarity or consultation, leaving citizens with no choice but to stay on the streets in protest.
Dr. Nagamuthu Piratheeparajah – Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Jaffna
“Mannar’s mineral sands are being celebrated as an economic treasure, but in reality they pose a great disaster for our people,” warns Dr. Nagamuthu Piratheeparajah.
He explains that Mannar Island, with its unique geography and cultural significance, is highly vulnerable. The island, often seen as a continuation of the legendary “Rama Bridge” mentioned in the Ramayana, is only 26 km long and 6 km wide, with an average elevation of just 7.8 metres above sea level. In some places, including South Bar, Thottaveli, Erukalampiddy, and Konnaiyan Kudiruppu, the land lies at or even below sea level. This fragile structure is what makes the threat of large-scale sand mining so severe.
According to Dr. Piratheeparajah, the island rests on the Cauvery Basin, where valuable mineral deposits such as ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile, zircon, and titanium oxide are concentrated. While these minerals are considered highly profitable, the extraction methods proposed by companies could irreversibly damage the land.
He points out that five companies, Kilsythe Exploration, Hammersmith Ceylon, Supreme Solution, Sanur Minerals, and Orion Minerals, were granted permits around 2015 to mine these sands, with several already active. They plan to dig up to 12 metres below sea level to extract minerals, then dump the remaining sand back into the pits.
“This is not restoration, but deception,” he stresses. “Even if the sand is replaced, the ground will eventually collapse and form craters. In simple terms, if this excavation goes ahead, Mannar will turn into a giant pit filled with seawater.”
Dr. Piratheeparajah warns of four major consequences:
1. The island will sink into 10-foot craters filled with seawater.
2. At least 10,000 palm trees will be destroyed.
3. Underground freshwater sources will be permanently damaged.
4. The entire morphology of Mannar will be altered.
For him, this is not just an environmental issue but an existential one:
“To those who see Mannar only as a mining site, this is an economic opportunity. But for us, Mannar is our motherland. If we do not wake up now, we will never be able to save it.”
The ten major problems raised by Fr. S. Marcus
Fr. S. Marcus, President of the Mannar Citizens Committee, presented ten critical issues caused by the Thambapavani wind power and sand mining project. These concerns were highlighted during discussions with the President at the Presidential Secretariat on 15 August 2025, and earlier in Parliament with the Ministers of Energy and Environment.
During our field visit, we were able to directly observe the reality of these problems.
1. Illegal seizure of people’s lands
Large portions of land near the project sites have been taken from villagers under questionable circumstances. In places like ‘Konnaiyan Kudi’, families accuse powerful intermediaries of using forged documents to grab land that has been in community use for generations. Some allege the involvement of political proxies, leaving villagers helpless against fraudulent cases filed to force them out.
2. Shrinking living spaces
As wind power companies expand their hold over coastal areas, residents are being pushed further away from their homes. Families who once lived near the sea now find themselves displaced. Those remaining struggle with the constant noise of wind turbines, making daily life unbearable.
3. Coastal erosion and loss of mangroves
With mangroves and trees along the coast cleared for development, soil erosion has worsened. Our field visit revealed beaches near the Mannar Wind Farm to be badly eroded, with heaps of plastic waste worsening the degradation of these fragile coastal zones.
4. Blocked streams and destruction of fisheries
Over 16 natural streams and canals have been obstructed, crippling the fishing industry. Mannar, already vulnerable due to its low elevation, now faces stagnant waters where natural flows once carried freshwater to the sea. Villagers fear that if these channels reopen, seawater intrusion will drown inland areas.
5. Environmental reports kept from the public
Residents complain that the final Environmental Assessment Report (EAI) was never shared with them. They say no proper consultations were held, leaving them excluded from critical decisions. Fisherfolk in Pesalai believe this secrecy is one reason for declining fish stocks and worsening floods.
6. Manipulated signatures
Villagers allege that signatures in the EAI were collected deceptively. During floods, when families were displaced and receiving relief packages, their signatures were obtained under false pretences. Later, these were presented as proof of community consent for the project, leaving villagers feeling betrayed.
7. Unprecedented flooding
For decades, Mannar rarely experienced major floods. But since the installation of wind farms, floods during the rainy season have become an annual crisis. Villagers point to an underground wall 12 feet deep and 12 kilometres long, built to connect the turbines, which blocks natural groundwater flow to the sea. This has led to stagnant water, polluted wells, and repeated displacement.
8. Destruction of palms and coconuts
Hundreds of palm and coconut trees vital to the local economy have been cut without permits. For many families, these trees provided livelihoods through handicrafts and household use. Their sudden loss has left traditional livelihoods in crisis, especially for women engaged in weaving and craft-making.
9. Loss of clean drinking water
For generations, villagers depended on wells for safe water. Today, many of these wells have dried up or turned brackish due to flooding and groundwater stagnation. Even in ‘Konnaiyan Kudi’, once known for its clean water, families are now forced to purchase drinking water at Rs 2 per litre, an expense they cannot afford.
10. Decline in migratory birds
Mannar is a world-renowned sanctuary for migratory birds. But locals report fewer flocks arriving in recent years, with altered migration patterns and longer return periods. Despite the Energy Minister dismissing these concerns, birdwatchers and environmentalists warn that the turbines disrupt bird habitats and threaten one of Sri Lanka’s most important ecological treasures.
Lessons from Eppawala for Mannar
The struggle unfolding in Mannar today is not without precedent. Twenty-five years ago, in the landmark Eppawala Phosphate Case, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka was called upon to decide whether a massive foreign-backed mining project could proceed in the agriculturally rich Eppawala region of Anuradhapura. Farmers and villagers argued that the project would destroy their land, irrigation systems, and way of life. The Court, in a historic judgment, recognised that natural resources are part of the public trust, to be safeguarded not only for present communities but also for future generations. It struck down the agreement, affirming that “development” cannot come at the expense of people’s rights, culture, and environment.
The echoes of Eppawala are unmistakable in Mannar. Here too, projects justified in the name of national economic growth wind farms and mineral sand mining, have been imposed without meaningful consultation or safeguards. As in Eppawala, local communities warn of displacement, destruction of traditional livelihoods, and irreversible ecological damage. Mannar, like Eppawala, is not merely a site of mineral deposits or wind potential; it is a living homeland where generations have survived through fishing, farming, and deep cultural ties to the land.
What the Eppawala judgment established in law that the State is a trustee of natural resources bound by duties of sustainability, transparency, and equity remains just as relevant today.
The case of Mannar shows us the true cost of development when it is pursued without planning, transparency, or respect for local communities. What is being presented as “clean energy” and “economic growth” has, in practice, brought land grabs, forced displacement, floods, water contamination, loss of fisheries, and destruction of ecological balance. The ten problems highlighted by the Mannar Citizens Committee are not abstract concerns. They are daily realities for an island already vulnerable due to its geography and history.
Mannar’s people are not rejecting renewable energy or economic development. They are demanding what the Court demanded in Eppawala: development that protects the environment, sustains communities, and respects the rights of future generations. The fact that both Parliament and the President have been forced to acknowledge their grievances shows that these voices can no longer be ignored. The future of renewable energy and resource use in Sri Lanka must be built not on exploitation, but on genuine consultation, scientific accountability, and social justice.
If Mannar becomes a lesson, let it be this: progress cannot be measured only in megawatts and minerals. Real progress is when the land, water, and people are safeguarded for generations to come.
12:42 AM
What it is C 188?
Written By Joining Hands Network on Friday, August 22, 2025 | 12:42 AM
Women and fishermen from Ammathottam Women's Organization and Fishermen's Organization and Malpura Women's Organization, and Fishermen's Organization participated in the ILO action meeting organized by NAFSO and supported by BFTW, today 21st August, 2025.
The contents and importance about ILO C- 188 Convention was discussed in the program in detail. In this, the questions raised by the people were clarified by the resource person Priyankara Costa the resource person who facilitated the day's sessions.
21/08/2025
NAFSO Sri Lanka เทเท BFTW เทිเทිเถฑ් เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ เถเถปเถฑ เถฝเถฏ ILO เถ්เถปිเถบාเถාเถปී เถปැเท්เทීเถธเถง เถ
เถธ්เถธාเถญොเถง เถාเถฑ්เถญා เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ, เถฐීเทเถป เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ เทเท เถธเถฝ්เถดුเถป เถාเถฑ්เถญා เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ, เถฐීเทเถป เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ เถเถฏී เถเถบเถญเถฑเทเถฝ เถාเถฑ්เถญාเทเถฑ් เทเท เถฐීเทเถปเถบිเถฑ් เทเทเถทාเถී เทූเท. ILO C-188 เถดเถฑเถญ เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณ เถธෙเทි เถดැเทැเถฏිเถฝි เถเถปเถฑ เถฝเถฏී. เถธෙเทි เถฏී, เถขเถฑเถญාเท เทිเทිเถฑ් เถธเถญු เถเถปเถฑ เถฝเถฏ เถด්เถปเท්เถฑ เทเถธ්เถดเถญ්เถฏාเถบเถ เถด්เถปිเถบංเถเถป เทිเทිเถฑ් เถดැเทැเถฏිเถฝි เถเถปเถฑ เถฝเถฏී.
12:38 AM
Save Mannar
Continues struggle is going on at Mannar town against the Wind power projects and propose Sand mining project.We joined the protest,visited the project locations,Met the people,Discuss with CSOs,Youth,Religious leaders,Fisher leaders and Mannar Citizen comity leaders on 18 to 20 of August.Banadic Croos,Priyantha and Youth team arranged the programs
1:31 AM
Demand -Food Sovereignty
Written By Joining Hands Network on Thursday, August 14, 2025 | 1:31 AM
Nyรฉlรฉni & the Global Food Sovereignty Movement
1. Origins of Food Sovereignty
• Food sovereignty emerged in 1996 when La Via Campesina, a global movement of peasant and small-scale farmer organizations, introduced the concept at the World Food Summit. It offered a bold alternative to corporate-driven, globalized food systems—shifting focus to local economies, community rights, and democratic control over food systems Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+1.
• Its roots also trace back to global mobilizations against corporate trade agreements like the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture around the same time, as small-scale producers sought to protect their livelihoods Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum.
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2. The First Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum (2007)
• The first Nyรฉlรฉni Forum was held in February 2007 in Sรฉlinguรฉ, Mali, where over 500 delegates from around 80 countries gathered to build a global movement for food sovereignty. The forum cultivated shared vision and strategies for equitable, people-led food systems Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forumfoei.orgviacampesina.org.
• The name “Nyรฉlรฉni” honors a legendary Malian peasant woman who resisted patriarchy, prioritized farming, and became a symbol of resilience, sovereignty, and grassroots agricultural traditions Wikipediafoei.org.
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3. Building Momentum & Regional Forums
• Following the 2007 gathering, the movement expanded through regional forums. For instance, Nyรฉlรฉni Europe met in 2011 (Austria) and again in 2016 (Romania), drawing hundreds of participants from dozens of countries to build regional solidarity and strategies for food sovereignty nyeleni-eca.net+1.
• In 2015, a special International Forum on Agroecology reaffirmed that agroecological farming—and peasant, indigenous, and family farm systems—must be central to addressing climate and biodiversity crises nyรฉlรฉni+1.
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4. The Nyรฉlรฉni Process & Systemic Transformation
• The Nyรฉlรฉni Process represents an ongoing, multi-year global effort led by grassroots movements and the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC). This process fosters regional consultations and builds a cohesive political agenda rooted in food sovereignty, climate justice, gender equity, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, peace, and democracy nyรฉlรฉni+1foodsovereignty.org.
• It is framed by the urgent rallying cry: “Systemic Transformation Is Now or Never!” Reflecting the need to confront intersecting global crises—economic, social, environmental, and political—through collective, transformative action foodsovereignty.orgnyรฉlรฉni.
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5. The 3rd Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum — Sri Lanka, September 2025
Overview
• Scheduled for September 2025 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the forum will convene over 500 grassroots activists and leaders from more than 80 countries and 50+ social movements, making it one of the most inclusive assemblies of food sovereignty and allied social justice movements World March of Women+1Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+1.
Why Sri Lanka?
• Sri Lanka represents both crisis and resilience. The country has endured crippling debt crises, neoliberal austerity imposed by structural adjustments, and erosion of public services—yet also demonstrated powerful resistance, notably through the Aragalaya uprising of 2022, where working-class movements ousted corruption and sparked renewed hope for systemic justice phmovement.org+1World March of Women.
Who Will Participate?
• A broad coalition: peasant farmers, Indigenous Peoples, fishers, pastoralists, agricultural workers, artisans, feminist and climate justice organizations, health workers, migrant laborers, trade unions, social and solidarity economy activists, students, artists, researchers, and more—all committed to building democratic, equitable, and resilient systems Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forumviacampesina.orgphmovement.org.
Objectives & Themes
• Develop shared analyses of global interlinked crises.
• Build alliances and joint strategies, celebrate cultural diversity, exchange knowledge and experiences.
• Advance common vision for:
o People’s economies and democracy
o Food sovereignty & agroecology
o Land, territory, health for all
o Climate justice & energy sovereignty
o Solidarity and international cooperation
• Rejecting capitalism, colonialism, patriarchy, racism, fascism—pushing toward systemic transformation for a just future Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+2Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+2nyรฉlรฉniWorld March of Women+1phmovement.org.
Organizing Process
• Coordinated through six regional processes and guided by a Global Steering Committee of social movements and grassroots networks, supported by NGOs in solidarity with technical expertise Nyรฉlรฉni Global ForumWorld March of Women.
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6. Summary Table: Key Milestones of Nyรฉlรฉni
Year / Era Milestone
1996–2001 Launch of food sovereignty concept by La Via Campesina at World Food Summit; elaborated in Havana, Cuba (2001) Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+1.
2007 1st Nyรฉlรฉni Forum in Mali, 500+ delegates from ~80 countries; named after Malian heroine Nyรฉlรฉni Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forumfoei.orgWikipedia.
2011 & 2016 Regional Nyรฉlรฉni Forums in Europe & Central Asia, consolidating movement at continental level nyeleni-eca.net+1.
2015 International Forum on Agroecology emphasizes agroecology’s role in confronting environmental crises nyรฉlรฉni+1.
2020s Launch of multi-region Nyรฉlรฉni Process by IPC—focused on systemic transformation and intersectional justice nyรฉlรฉni+1foodsovereignty.org.
Sept 2025 3rd Global Forum in Sri Lanka: landmark convergence of global movements to drive transformative agendas Nyรฉlรฉni Global Forum+1phmovement.orgWorld March of Women+2World March of Women+2.
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7. Why This Matters
• The Nyรฉlรฉni forums and process embody a people-centered alternative to neoliberal, extractivist food systems, aiming to build a resilient, democratic, and just global food system.
• The Sri Lanka forum marks a significant expansion—bringing in broader social movements to address not just food systems, but integral issues like health, energy, climate, gender, and economic justice.
• It models collective, intersectional mobilization, where frontline voices co-create solutions, challenge systemic oppression, and envision systemic transformation in a fractured world.
เถฑිเถบෙเถฝෙเถฑි เถเถฎාเท
1996 เถฏී เถฝෝเถ เถเทාเถป เทเถธුเท
ුเทේเถฏී La Via Campesina เถොเทීเถฑ්เถේ เถขාเถญ්เถบเถฑ්เถญเถป เถเถซ්เถฉුเทේ เถฑොเทเถฑ เถขාเถฝเถบ เทිเทිเถฑ් “เถเทාเถป เทාเถปเทเถญ්เถทාเทเถบ” (Food Sovereignty) เถบเถฑ เถฑාเถธเถบ เถเถเถญු เถเท
ේเถบ. เถธෙเถบ เถธเทා เท්เถบාเถดාเถป เทා เถෝเถฝීเถบเถเถปเถซเถบ เทෙเถฑුเทเถง เถขเถฑเถญා เถ
เถบිเถญිเถเถธ් เทเท เถด්เถปාเถฏේเทීเถบ เถเถป්เถฎිเถเถบเถฑ් เถปැเถ เถැเถฑීเถธේ เถ
เถฏเทเทเถบි.
2007 เถฏී เถธාเถฝි เถปเถงේ Selinguรฉ เถฑเถเถปเถบේ เถด්เถปเถฎเถธ “เถฑිเถบෙเถฝෙเถฑි” เถෝเถฝීเถบ เถธเถซ්เถฉเถดเถบ เถดැเทැเถญ්เทිเถซි. เถปเถงเทเถฝ් 80เถเถง เถ
เถฐිเถเท เทเทเถทාเถිเทූ เถฑිเถบෝเถขිเถญเถบිเถฑ් เทිเทිเถฑ් เถොเทීเถฑ්, เถธเทුเถฑ්เถดිเถฝිเท්, เถ
เถฑ්เถฏිเถขเถฑ เถขාเถญීเถฑ්, เถเถธ්เถเถปුเทเถฑ් เทเท เถขเถฑเถญා เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑ เถเถเถง เถෙเถฑ เถเทාเถป เถดเถฏ්เถฐเถญි เถดเทเถญ්เทා เถැเถฑීเถธේ เถเถเถธ เถฏැเถ්เถธเถ් เถොเถฉเถฑเถා เถเถญ්เท.
“เถฑිเถบෙเถฝෙเถฑි” เถฑเถธ เถธාเถฝි เถปเถงේ เถොเทී เถාเถฑ්เถญාเทเถ් เทූ เถฑාเถบเถිเถบෙเถ්เถෙเถฑ් เถเถญ් เถเถเถි. เถเถบ เถොเทීเถฑ්เถේ เถ
เถบිเถญිเทාเทිเถเถธ් เทเท เถාเถฑ්เถญා เทเถธාเถฑเถญ්เทเถบ เทเถณเทා เทเถงเถฑ් เถเถฝේเถบ.
2025 เทැเถด්เถญැเถธ්เถถเถป් – เถฝංเถාเท [Srilanka ]
เถธෙเทเถป 3 เทเถฑ เถෝเถฝීเถบ เถธเถซ්เถฉเถดเถบ เท්เถปී เถฝංเถාเทේ Kandy เถฑเถเถปเถบේ เถดැเทැเถญ්เทේ. เถปเถงเทเถฝ් 80เถเถง เถ
เถฐිเถเท เทිเถงි 600เถง เทැเถฉි เถฑිเถบෝเถขිเถญเถบිเถฑ් เทเท เถเถธ්เถเถปුเทเถฑ්, เถොเทිเถบเถฑ් ,เถฐීเทเถปเถบเถฑ්, เถเถฑ්เถญිเถ เถขเถฑ เถොเถงเท්,เท්เทเถฏේเทිเถเถบිเถฑ්, เถාเถฑ්เถญා เทා เถดเถปිเทเถป เถ
เถบිเถญිเทාเทිเถเถธ් เทเถณเทා เทเถงเถฑ් เถเถปเถฑ เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑ เทเทเถทාเถී เทේ.
เถด්เถปเถฐාเถฑ เถธූเถฝිเถ เถ
เทเถฐාเถฑเถบเถฑ්
• เถขเถฑเถญා เถเทාเถป เถ
เถบිเถญිเทාเทිเถเถธ් เทเท เถෘเทි เถดเถฏ්เถฐเถญි (Food Sovereignty & Agro ecology)
• เถทූเถธි, เถขเถฝเถบ, เทෞเถ්เถบเถบ เทเท เถดเถปිเทเถปเถบ เถปැเถ เถැเถฑීเถธ
• เถฝෝเถ เถเถซුเทුเถธ්เทීเถธ เทා เถ
เถฝුเถญ් เถถเถฝเทเถ්เถญි เทเถณเทා เทเถงเถฑ
• เถขාเถญ්เถบเถฑ්เถญเถป เทเทเถบෝเถීเถญාเท เทเท เทාเถธเถบ
• เถฑූเถญเถฑ เถฑเท-เถเถป්เถฎිเถ เถดීเถฉเถฑเถบ, เทාเถซිเถขเทාเถฏเถบ, เถดෞเถปුเท เถดාเถฝเถฑเถบ, เทเถป්เถซเทාเถฏเถบ, เถฑเท-เถฑේเทාเทිเถเถญ්เทเถบ เถด්เถปเถญිเถ්เทේเถด เถිเถปීเถธ.
เถธෙเถบ เถเทාเถป เถดเถฏ්เถฐเถญි เถดเถธเถซเถ් เถฑොเท, เทเถธූเท เทเทเถทාเถීเถญ්เทเถบ เถธเถญ เถดเถฏเถฑเถธ් เทූ เทාเถธเถบ เทเท เทාเถฐාเถปเถซเถบ เถොเถฉเถฑเถเถฑ เทිเทාเถฝ เถขාเถญ්เถบเถฑ්เถญเถป เถเถญ්เทเทเถบเถි.
เฎจ்เฎฏேเฎฒேเฎฉி เฎตเฎฐเฎฒாเฎฑு
1996-เฎฒ் เฎเฎฒเฎ เฎเฎฃเฎตு เฎเฎ்เฎி เฎฎாเฎจாเฎ்เฎிเฎฒ் La Via Campesina เฎเฎฉுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฐ்เฎตเฎคேเฎ เฎตிเฎตเฎாเฎฏிเฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฏเฎ்เฎเฎฎ் “เฎเฎฃเฎตு เฎเฎฑைเฎฏாเฎฃ்เฎฎை” (Food Sovereignty) เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑ เฎเฎฐுเฎค்เฎคை เฎ
เฎฑிเฎฎுเฎเฎช்เฎชเฎுเฎค்เฎคிเฎฏเฎคு. เฎเฎคு เฎชெเฎฐுเฎจிเฎฑுเฎตเฎฉเฎ்เฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฒเฎเฎฎเฎฏเฎฎாเฎ்เฎเฎฒுเฎ்เฎுเฎช் เฎชเฎคிเฎฒாเฎ เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณிเฎฉ் เฎเฎฐிเฎฎைเฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎเฎณ்เฎณூเฎฐ் เฎชொเฎฐுเฎณாเฎคாเฎฐเฎ்เฎเฎณை เฎชாเฎคுเฎாเฎช்เฎชเฎคு เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑ เฎจோเฎ்เฎเฎค்เฎคுเฎเฎฉ் เฎตเฎจ்เฎคเฎคு.
2007-เฎฒ் เฎฎாเฎฒி เฎจாเฎ்เฎிเฎฉ் Selinguรฉ เฎจเฎเฎฐிเฎฒ் เฎฎுเฎคเฎฒ் เฎจ்เฎฏேเฎฒேเฎฉி เฎเฎฒเฎ เฎฎாเฎจாเฎு เฎจเฎเฎจ்เฎคเฎคு. 80-เฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎฎேเฎฑ்เฎชเฎ்เฎ เฎจாเฎுเฎเฎณிเฎฒ் เฎเฎฐுเฎจ்เฎคு เฎตเฎจ்เฎค เฎตிเฎตเฎாเฎฏிเฎเฎณ், เฎฎீเฎฉเฎตเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ், เฎชเฎดเฎ்เฎுเฎிเฎเฎณ், เฎคொเฎดிเฎฒாเฎณเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฎூเฎ เฎ
เฎฎைเฎช்เฎชுเฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑிเฎฃைเฎจ்เฎคு เฎเฎฃเฎตு เฎ
เฎฎைเฎช்เฎชுเฎเฎณை เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณிเฎฉ் เฎเฎ்เฎுเฎช்เฎชாเฎ்เฎிเฎฒ் เฎตைเฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎจோเฎ்เฎுเฎเฎฉ் เฎเฎฐுเฎ்เฎிเฎฃைเฎจ்เฎค เฎเฎฃ்เฎฃோเฎ்เฎเฎฎ் เฎเฎฐுเฎตாเฎ்เฎிเฎฉเฎฐ்.
“เฎจ்เฎฏேเฎฒேเฎฉி” เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑ เฎชெเฎฏเฎฐ் เฎฎாเฎฒி เฎจாเฎ்เฎிเฎฉ் เฎเฎฐு เฎชுเฎฐเฎ்เฎிเฎเฎฐเฎฎாเฎฉ เฎชெเฎฃ் เฎตிเฎตเฎாเฎฏிเฎฏிเฎเฎฎிเฎฐுเฎจ்เฎคு เฎเฎுเฎค்เฎคเฎคு. เฎ
เฎตเฎฐ் เฎตிเฎตเฎாเฎฏிเฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฐிเฎฎைเฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎชெเฎฃ்เฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฎเฎค்เฎคுเฎตเฎค்เฎคிเฎฑ்เฎாเฎ เฎชோเฎฐாเฎிเฎฉாเฎฐ்.
2025 เฎெเฎช்เฎเฎฎ்เฎชเฎฐ் – เฎเฎฒเฎ்เฎை
เฎฎூเฎฉ்เฎฑாเฎตเฎคு เฎเฎฒเฎ เฎฎாเฎจாเฎு เฎเฎฒเฎ்เฎைเฎฏிเฎฉ் เฎเฎฃ்เฎி เฎจเฎเฎฐிเฎฒ் เฎจเฎைเฎชெเฎฑ เฎเฎณ்เฎณเฎคு. 80-เฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎฎேเฎฑ்เฎชเฎ்เฎ เฎจாเฎுเฎเฎณிเฎฒ் เฎเฎฐுเฎจ்เฎคு 500-เฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎฎேเฎฑ்เฎชเฎ்เฎ เฎชிเฎฐเฎคிเฎจிเฎคிเฎเฎณ் – เฎตிเฎตเฎாเฎฏிเฎเฎณ், เฎฎீเฎฉเฎตเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ், เฎชெเฎฃ்เฎเฎณ், เฎூเฎดเฎฒ் เฎเฎฐிเฎฎை เฎเฎฐ்เฎตเฎฒเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ், เฎคொเฎดிเฎฒாเฎณเฎฐ் เฎเฎ்เฎเฎ்เฎเฎณ் – เฎชเฎ்เฎேเฎฑ்เฎிเฎฑாเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ்.
เฎฎுเฎ்เฎிเฎฏ เฎเฎตเฎฉเฎช்เฎชเฎுเฎคிเฎเฎณ்
• เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณிเฎฉ் เฎเฎฃเฎตு เฎเฎฐிเฎฎை & เฎเฎฏเฎฑ்เฎை เฎตேเฎณாเฎฃ்เฎฎை (Food Sovereignty & Agroecology)
• เฎจிเฎฒเฎฎ், เฎจீเฎฐ், เฎுเฎாเฎคாเฎฐเฎฎ், เฎுเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎ்เฎூเฎดเฎฒ் เฎชாเฎคுเฎாเฎช்เฎชு
• เฎாเฎฒเฎจிเฎฒை เฎจீเฎคி เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎชுเฎคுเฎฎைเฎฏாเฎฉ เฎเฎฑ்เฎฑเฎฒ்
• เฎเฎฐ்เฎตเฎคேเฎ เฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎை เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎ
เฎฎைเฎคி
• เฎฎுเฎคเฎฒாเฎณிเฎค்เฎคเฎฉเฎฎ், เฎுเฎிเฎฏேเฎฑ்เฎฑ เฎเฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎฎ், เฎตเฎฉ்เฎฎுเฎฑை เฎเฎ்เฎி, เฎเฎฉเฎตெเฎฑி เฎเฎிเฎฏเฎตเฎฑ்เฎฑை เฎจிเฎฐாเฎเฎฐிเฎค்เฎคเฎฒ்
เฎเฎคு เฎเฎฃเฎตு เฎ
เฎฎைเฎช்เฎชை เฎฎเฎ்เฎுเฎฎเฎฒ்เฎฒாเฎฎเฎฒ், เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณிเฎฉ் เฎชเฎ்เฎเฎณிเฎช்เฎชிเฎฒ் เฎ
เฎฎைเฎจ்เฎค เฎจீเฎคி, เฎ
เฎฎைเฎคி เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎைเฎฏை เฎเฎฐுเฎตாเฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฐு เฎชெเฎฐிเฎฏ เฎเฎฐ்เฎตเฎคேเฎ เฎூเฎுเฎைเฎฏாเฎுเฎฎ்.
3:20 AM
Breaking the Silence – Let Us Unite Again
Written By Joining Hands Network on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 | 3:20 AM
On August 8, 2025, the leaders of Ponnaweli area gathered for a special discussion. The meeting was organized to review the latest situation regarding the proposed Tokyo Cement Factory project in the area and to discuss possible steps forward.
Although the project has been temporarily halted, the continued presence of workers and equipment at the site where construction was to begin has led residents to believe there is still a possibility of work resuming at any moment.
During the discussion, the leaders prepared a detailed plan focusing on:
The current situation
The importance of uniting the people once again, leaving behind political divisions
Actions that can be implemented in the future
Key points included in the action plan:
1. Informing the relevant authorities
2. Implementing pressure campaigns
3. Sending written requests and notifications to the authorities, urging the government to fulfill its promises
4. Obtaining support from civil society organizations for these efforts
The leaders believe this initiative is an important step toward protecting the environment and livelihoods of the area, while rebuilding community unity.
เฎ
เฎฎைเฎคிเฎฏை เฎฎுเฎฑிเฎฏเฎிเฎค்เฎคு – เฎจாเฎฎ் เฎฎீเฎฃ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑுเฎชเฎுเฎตோเฎฎ்
2025 เฎเฎเฎธ்เฎ் 8เฎเฎฎ் เฎคேเฎคி, เฎชொเฎฉ்เฎฉாเฎตேเฎฒி เฎชเฎுเฎคி เฎคเฎฒைเฎตเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฐு เฎிเฎฑเฎช்เฎชு เฎเฎฒเฎจ்เฎคுเฎฐைเฎฏாเฎเฎฒுเฎ்เฎாเฎ เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑிเฎฃைเฎจ்เฎคเฎฉเฎฐ். เฎ
เฎจ்เฎคเฎ் เฎூเฎ்เฎเฎฎ், เฎ
เฎจ்เฎคเฎช் เฎชเฎுเฎคிเฎฏிเฎฒ் เฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎฎிเฎเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎிเฎฐுเฎจ்เฎค เฎோเฎ்เฎிเฎฏோ เฎிเฎฎெเฎฃ்เฎு เฎเฎฒைเฎฏிเฎฉைเฎ் เฎாเฎฐ்เฎจ்เฎค เฎเฎฎீเฎชเฎค்เฎคிเฎฏ เฎจிเฎฒைเฎฎைเฎฏை เฎฎเฎคிเฎช்เฎชாเฎฏ்เฎตு เฎெเฎฏ்เฎตเฎคเฎฑ்เฎுเฎฎ், เฎเฎคிเฎฐ்เฎாเฎฒ เฎจเฎเฎตเฎிเฎ்เฎைเฎเฎณை เฎตிเฎตாเฎคிเฎช்เฎชเฎคเฎฑ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฑ்เฎชாเฎு เฎெเฎฏ்เฎฏเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎเฎคு.
เฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎฎ் เฎคเฎฑ்เฎாเฎฒிเฎเฎฎாเฎ เฎจிเฎฑுเฎค்เฎคเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎிเฎฐுเฎจ்เฎคாเฎฒுเฎฎ், เฎเฎฒைเฎฏைเฎค் เฎคொเฎเฎ்เฎ เฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎฎிเฎเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎ เฎเฎเฎค்เฎคிเฎฒ் เฎเฎฉ்เฎฉுเฎฎ் เฎคொเฎดிเฎฒாเฎณเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎเฎชเฎเฎฐเฎฃเฎ்เฎเฎณ் เฎเฎฐுเฎช்เฎชเฎคு, เฎเฎจ்เฎค เฎจேเฎฐเฎค்เฎคிเฎฒுเฎฎ் เฎตேเฎฒை เฎฎீเฎฃ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎคொเฎเฎ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎตாเฎฏ்เฎช்เฎชு เฎเฎณ்เฎณเฎคாเฎ เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณை เฎจเฎฎ்เฎช เฎตைเฎ்เฎிเฎฑเฎคு.
เฎเฎฒเฎจ்เฎคுเฎฐைเฎฏாเฎเฎฒிเฎฉ் เฎชோเฎคு, เฎคเฎฒைเฎตเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ் เฎตிเฎฐிเฎตாเฎฉ เฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎค்เฎคைเฎค் เฎคเฎฏாเฎฐிเฎค்เฎคเฎฉเฎฐ், เฎ
เฎคிเฎฒ் เฎเฎตเฎฉเฎฎ் เฎெเฎฒுเฎค்เฎคเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎเฎตை:
เฎคเฎฑ்เฎชோเฎคைเฎฏ เฎจிเฎฒைเฎฎை
เฎ
เฎฐเฎிเฎฏเฎฒ் เฎชிเฎณเฎตுเฎเฎณை เฎฎเฎฑเฎจ்เฎคு เฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณை เฎฎீเฎฃ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฉ்เฎฑுเฎชเฎுเฎค்เฎคுเฎตเฎคிเฎฉ் เฎ
เฎตเฎிเฎฏเฎฎ்
เฎเฎคிเฎฐ்เฎாเฎฒเฎค்เฎคிเฎฒ் เฎฎேเฎฑ்เฎொเฎณ்เฎณเฎ்เฎூเฎிเฎฏ เฎจเฎเฎตเฎிเฎ்เฎைเฎเฎณ்
เฎจเฎเฎตเฎிเฎ்เฎை เฎคிเฎ்เฎเฎค்เฎคிเฎฒ் เฎ
เฎเฎ்เฎிเฎฏ เฎฎுเฎ்เฎிเฎฏ เฎ
เฎฎ்เฎเฎ்เฎเฎณ்:
1. เฎเฎฎ்เฎชเฎจ்เฎคเฎช்เฎชเฎ்เฎ เฎ
เฎคிเฎாเฎฐிเฎเฎณுเฎ்เฎு เฎคเฎเฎตเฎฒ் เฎตเฎดเฎ்เฎுเฎคเฎฒ்
2. เฎ
เฎดுเฎค்เฎค เฎฎுเฎாเฎฎ்เฎเฎณை เฎจเฎைเฎฎுเฎฑைเฎช்เฎชเฎுเฎค்เฎคுเฎคเฎฒ்
3. เฎ
เฎฐเฎாเฎ்เฎเฎฎ் เฎ
เฎณிเฎค்เฎค เฎตாเฎ்เฎுเฎฑுเฎคிเฎเฎณை เฎจிเฎฑைเฎตேเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎாเฎฑு เฎோเฎฐி, เฎ
เฎคிเฎாเฎฐிเฎเฎณுเฎ்เฎு เฎเฎดுเฎค்เฎคுเฎช்เฎชூเฎฐ்เฎตเฎฎாเฎฉ เฎோเฎฐிเฎ்เฎைเฎเฎณ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎ
เฎฑிเฎตிเฎช்เฎชுเฎเฎณ் เฎ
เฎฉுเฎช்เฎชுเฎคเฎฒ்
4. เฎเฎ்เฎெเฎฏเฎฑ்เฎชாเฎ்เฎிเฎฑ்เฎு เฎுเฎிเฎฎเฎ்เฎเฎณ் เฎ
เฎฎைเฎช்เฎชுเฎเฎณிเฎฉ் เฎเฎคเฎฐเฎตைเฎช் เฎชெเฎฑுเฎคเฎฒ்
เฎเฎจ்เฎค เฎฎுเฎฏเฎฑ்เฎி, เฎ
เฎจ்เฎคเฎช் เฎชเฎுเฎคிเฎฏிเฎฉ் เฎுเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎ்เฎூเฎดเฎฒ் เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎตாเฎด்เฎตாเฎคாเฎฐเฎค்เฎคை เฎชாเฎคுเฎாเฎช்เฎชเฎคเฎฑ்เฎுเฎฎ், เฎเฎฎூเฎ เฎเฎฐுเฎฎைเฎช்เฎชாเฎ்เฎை เฎฎீเฎฃ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฐுเฎตாเฎ்เฎுเฎตเฎคเฎฑ்เฎுเฎฎ் เฎฎுเฎ்เฎிเฎฏเฎฎாเฎฉ เฎชเฎிเฎฏாเฎுเฎฎ் เฎเฎฉ เฎคเฎฒைเฎตเฎฐ்เฎเฎณ் เฎจเฎฎ்เฎชுเฎிเฎฉ்เฎฑเฎฉเฎฐ்.
เถฑිเทเถฌ เถถเท เถถිเถณเถෙเถฑ – เถฑැเทเถญเถญ් เถ
เถดි เถเถเถญු เทෙเถธු
2025 เถ
เถෝเท්เถญු 8 เทเถฑเถฏා, เถดොเถฑ්เถฑාเทේเถฝි เถด්เถปเถฏේเทเถบේ เถฑාเถบเถเถบිเถฑ් เถเถเถปාเทී เทී เทිเทේเท เทාเถเถ ්เถกාเทเถ් เถดเทเถญ්เทා เถญිเถถිเถซි. เถธෙเถบ, เถด්เถปเถฏේเทเถบේ เถเถฏිเถිเถปීเถธเถง เถบෝเถขිเถญเท เถญිเถถූ เถงෝเถිเถบෝ เทිเถธෙเถฑ්เถญි เถเถป්เถธාเถฑ්เถญ เทාเถฝා เท්เถบාเถดෘเถญිเถบเถง เถ
เถฏාเถฝ เถฑเทเถญเถธ เถญเถญ්เถญ්เทเถบ เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณเท เทเท เถเถฏිเถปිเถบเถง เถเถญ เทැเถි เถดිเถบเทเถป เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณเท เทාเถเถ ්เถกා เถිเถปීเถธේ เถ
เถปเถธුเถซිเถฑ් เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเถบ เถเถปเถฑ เถฝเถฏ เทාเถเถ ්เถกාเทเถි.
เถธෙเถธ เท්เถบාเถดෘเถญිเถบ เถญාเทเถාเถฝිเถเท เถฑเทเถญා เถญිเถถුเถซเถฏ, เถเถป්เถธාเถฑ්เถญ เทාเถฝා เถเถปเถธ්เถท เถිเถปීเถธเถง เถฑිเถบเถธිเถญ เถถිเถธ เถญුเท
เถญเทเถธเถญ් เถเถธ්เถเถปුเทเถฑ් เทා เถเถดเถเถปเถซ เถปැเถณී เทිเถงීเถธ, เถเถฑෑเถธ เถธොเทොเถญเถ เทැเถฉ เถฑැเทเถญ เถดเถงเถฑ් เถเถฑ්เถฑා เทැเถිเถบාเทเถ් เถดเทเถญිเถฑ เถถเทเถง เถด්เถปเถฏේเทเทාเทීเถฑ් เทිเท්เทාเท เถเถปเถญි.
เทාเถเถ ්เถกාเทේเถฏී เถฑාเถบเถเถบเถฑ්,
เถฏැเถฑเถง เถดเทเถญිเถฑ เถญเถญ්เถญ්เทเถบ เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณเท
เถขเถฑเถญාเท เถฑැเทเถญเถญ් เถฏේเทเถดාเถฝเถฑිเถ เถถෙเถฏීเถธ් เถ
เถญเทැเถป เถเถ්เทීเถธේ เถ
เถญ්เถบเทเท්เถบเถญාเทเถบ เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณเท
เถเถฏිเถปිเถบේเถฏී เถ්เถปිเถบාเถญ්เถธเถ เถเท
เทැเถි เถดිเถบเทเถป เถดිเท
ිเถถเถณเท
เทเทිเท්เถญเถป เทැเถฝැเท්เถธเถ් เทเถเท් เถเถป เถเถญ්เถญේเถบ.
เถเถฏිเถปි เทැเถฝැเท්เถธ เถญුเท
เถเถญුเท
เถญ් เถเถปුเถซු:
1. เถถเถฝเถฐාเถปීเถฑ්เถง เถฏැเถฑුเถธ්เถฏීเถธ
2. เถถเถฝเถดෑเถธ් เทැเถฉเทเถงเทเถฑ් เถ්เถปිเถบාเถญ්เถธเถ เถිเถปීเถธ
3. เถปเถขเถบ เถฝเถถාเถฏුเถฑ් เถดොเถปොเถฑ්เถฏු เถเถงුเถเถปเถฑ เถฝෙเท เถฝිเถිเถญ เถเถฝ්เถฝීเถธ් เทා เถฏැเถฑුเถธ්เถฏීเถธ් เถบැเทීเถธ
4. เถธෙเถธ เถ්เถปිเถบාเทเถฝිเถบเถง เทිเทිเถฝ් เทංเทිเถฐාเถฑเทเถฝ เทเทාเถบ เถฝเถถා เถැเถฑීเถธ
เถธෙเถธ เถเถญ්เทාเทเถบ, เถด්เถปเถฏේเทเถบේ เถดාเถปිเทเถปිเถ เทා เถขීเทเถฑෝเถดාเถบ เถเถปเถ්เทා เถเถป เถැเถฑීเถธ เทเถณเทා เทเท เถขเถฑเถญා เถเถเถธුเถญුเท เถฑැเทเถญ เถොเถฉเถฑเถා เถැเถฑීเถธ เทเถณเทා เทැเถฏเถเถญ් เถดිเถบเทเถปเถ් เถฝෙเท เถฑාเถบเถเถบිเถฑ් เทිเทිเถฑ් เทිเท්เทාเท เถเถปเถฑු เถฝැเถถීเถบ.
Praja Abhilasha
Main Activities
01. Conducting Research.
02. Pressurizing for land rights.
03. Mobilizing the landless people.
04. File court cases regarding land issues.
05. Networking the affected communities.
06. Providing Trainings for leaders.
07. Conduct workshops.
02. Pressurizing for land rights.
03. Mobilizing the landless people.
04. File court cases regarding land issues.
05. Networking the affected communities.
06. Providing Trainings for leaders.
07. Conduct workshops.