Religious leaders stress need for unity:

Life returns to normal

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

As of now peace prevails in Aluthgama and Beruwala. After the death of three people and injuries to 80 others - all human beings.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to hold an impartial inquiry into the unfortunate incidents that took place in Aluthgama and Beruwala.

Already fronting the of ups and downs of their day-to-day lives to make ends meet, thousands of people were displaced due to the acts of a few people.

Though there are numerous things to be done by the executive and the legislature of the country to fumigate extremism in the long-run, there are few things that has to be done to help the victims to restart their lives.

Groups of bad people looking like thugs raided houses and shops destroying them, burnt down properties and created a negative image of the country to which, unfortunately the majority Sri Lankans were not responsible.

The houses, shops and other buildings that were destroyed had to be cleared of debris. Wells need to be cleaned. Displaced people, those who can, are returning back to their houses, as security is being provided by the Sri Lanka Police, Special Task Force and the Sri Lanka Army.

Assessment

On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa Army will be taking over the rebuilding of the devastated houses and buildings. Assessments of damages are being done and the Army is waiting for monetary provisions to be passed through the District secretary.

Returning from the Bolivian tour, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday, went to a special meeting at the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat to meet religious and community leaders of the affected areas. President's Secretary Lalith Weerathunga, several cabinet Ministers, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order Major General (Rtd) Nanda Mallawarachchi, Inspector General of the Police N.K. Ilangakoon, Army Chief Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and several other senior officials from Army and Police attended the meeting. After listening to Bhikkhus, Muslim religious leaders and community leaders President instructed the Army to assist these people to return to their homes, especially in re-building their houses where necessary. President Rajapaksa instructed the Army Chief to make accurate details of damages caused to properties in affected areas as soon as possible and launch a mechanism to get the repairs done at state expense, using skills of tri-service personnel. Since the Police have already forwarded a full report of the damages in all areas, the Army can attend to the repairs after a brief survey.

The Army Commander has ordered Major General Ubaya Medawala, Security Forces Commander - West to deploy teams of Army officers and soldiers for the work.

Support

"A peaceful situation now prevails in Aluthgama and Beruwala areas," said Maj. Gen. Ubaya Medawala adding that many people have returned home.

Army officers and tradesmen have completed damage assessments of these two areas, as directed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"We will compile the assessments and hand it to the District Secretary as he is the right official to pass the money for rebuilding.

With that our men are ready to launch the rebuilding work.

We as the Army are ready to extend our fullest support," said Maj. Gen. Medawala. The Army will support in rebuilding houses and buildings with the consent of the owners.

"No problems occurred in these areas following the incident and especially on Friday, which is the day Muslims pray and observe religion.

The religious leaders have promised to keep their immediate communities peaceful. And as media reported Friday sermons were on peace and harmony."

"Ample security is provided and no one needs to be afraid. The Police have taken all the precautionary measures and on their request we have extended our fullest support to provide security to the people of the area. People can let go of the fear psychosis," said Maj. Gen. Medawala explaining the current situation.

At present the Army has deployed around 800 officers and soldiers for these activities.

"Throughout the past few days our men have been extending their support in security, civil military coordination, damage assessment and patrolling these areas," he said.

Even during the funerals of those who got killed during this unfortunate incident people did not turn violent. Residents of these areas even with the greatest grief in their minds have kept peace and compassion intact in their hearts.

Around 8,000 were displaced at the beginning from both communities but as of now many have returned to their homes. "Daily needs were provided to people. We have provided cooked food as well to people who needed them.

Then gave dry rations to those who needed such items.

These were done with the District Secretariat. Other than helping out people, soldiers helped in distributing food, dry rations and water. And when there is a request from the District Secretariat for assistance to carry out these works our soldiers were always there," he added.

Apart from this Army is voluntarily keeping a stock of dry rations to be used as and when needed.

This is in addition to the stock kept ready at the District Secretariat.

Co-existence

The Municipality Council workers started clearing the debris of damaged buildings and houses.

The majority of the work done by the Police and the Special Task Force to secure the areas with suppor from the Army.

"Peace is an expensive product and some do not like to see peace thriving because of their own agenda," said Army Commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake. He said that as brethren we should not fall prey to those elements.

"Ours is a solid basis of understanding and co-existence that has been on from time immemorial which no one can deny.

We must now be matured enough to figure out who our real enemies are after this country's most ferocious battle over terrorism, had been won and set in the path to progress," he added.

The damage is done by people with bad souls. Yet the victims were innocent people.

It is consoling to realize that the majority of Sri Lankans, be they the public, politicians, servicemen of the Army, Police or the STF, are not willing to sacrifice peace and harmony for the acts of few extremist groups.

They are ready to take that extra step to protect it amidst evil forces.

And undoubtedly it is the painfully learned lessons from our own history that has embossed this in the minds of true Sri Lankans.