Resettlement of Muslim refugees in their own native land located in the landscape between Wilpattu Forest Reserve and Mannar has become a bleeding problem in the minds of Srilanka population. One Group of people including few environmentalist led by Buddhist Monks accused Minister Rishad Bathiudeen being the man spear heading Muslim resettlement in Wilpattu Forest Reserve. They are worried about the damage done to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve and reduction of animals’ habitat. For them animal habitat is much more important than the humans, who are settled in their own native land. Most of the Social media networks supported their propaganda without verifying the issues at bottom.
On the other hand, while all other Muslim political leaders kept quiet, vociferous Muslim Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who himself a refugee from the North came forward to fight for the right of Muslim refugees. Hence, he knows the sufferings and feelings of Muslim refugees better than anyone in Srilanka. When he was holding the portfolio of Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement, he has resettled refugees in the North, which comprised of mostly Tamils and Muslims.
Unlike resettlement in the North there was a problem faced by Government officers in resettling Muslim refugees in their own native land adjacent to Wilpattu. Problem was their native lands were taken over by the Forest Department after they were chased out by roaming tigers. Like in the North , displaced Muslim refugees from Marichchakaddiu area, which is located in a landscape between Wilpattu Forest Reserve and Mannar were given permission by the then Government to resettle in their own native land. Before giving permission all Government Agencies were consulted and with their approval, Muslim refugees were allowed resettlement .While Muslim refugees cleared forests and put up temporary huts as a prelude to build their houses in their native land, Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero invaded their settlement with thousands of Buddhist Monks and threatened poor Muslim settlers to leave the land immediately. Further he has planted Boo Trees in Marichchakaddu area. Since then malicious anti-Muslim propaganda was carried out by this Budhist Monk against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. Previous regime didn’t take any action to resolve these issues then and there. After the induction of Good Governance Government, Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero has submitted a 58 page memorandum on Wilpattu resettlement of Muslims to the President.
In place of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, if a Sinhalese held the portfolio of Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement then, no one would have raised their voice as they do now. Further , former President Mahinda Rajapakshe , who always claim that he is the saviour of Sinhala Race and Buddhism wouldn’t have given his consent for Muslim refugees resettlement in adjacent to Wilpattu, if it is detrimental to Sinhalese . People need to understand this very clearly. As this matter was not resolved by the previous Government, there were skirmishes between two sections of the society for a long time.
As it reached the climax, recently Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero appealed through Facebook to environmentalists and youths to gather at Viharamahadevi Park for a demonstration to protect Wilpattu Sanctuary. Demonstrators holding placards shouted slogans – “Rishad Tree Hunter”, Wilpattu Destroyer” and “Drug Businessman”. During the demonstration Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero challenged Rishad to prove, if he is wrong in his allegation.
As the allegations are aimed at character assassination of Rishad with the intention of destroying his political life, Rishad lost his patience and made a complaint with the Cinnamon Garden Police. Further, he claimed Rs 100 million compensate ion through a lawyers’ notice from Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero.
Followed by this, Rishad called a press conference on23.12.2015 at CWE Head Office Auditorium. Minister said in this press conference that during last few days’ malicious propaganda slinging mud on him has been carried out by some Forces. One of such forces is an organization formed to protect Wilpattu Forest Reserve led by Rev.Aanantha Sagara Thero.They made use of electronic, press media network, Facebook and Websites to do this extensive propaganda campaign in Sinhala and English Languages.Rev. Aananda Thero has invited Youths under the guise of protecting Wilpattu by telling them lies to carry out this propaganda campaign. Youths who gathered for the demonstration have told Rishad that Rev.Aananda Thero has voiced communally spreading hatred among ethnic groups A Religious leader making such false allegation is unbecoming of a Religious leader. He has accused that Wilpattu Forest Reserve has been destroyed and Muslims were brought from outside and settle there. Further drug business has also been carried out in Wilpattu areas, where Muslims were settled. All these utter lies have been uttered by Rev.Aananda Thero. Rishad has thrown a challenge to Aananda Thero to prove that Rishad has settled even a single Muslim family in Wilpattu. Minister categorically stated that if Rev.Aananda Thero proves that Rishad has settled even a single Muslim family in Wilpattu Forest Reserve, he would leave Politics. If they are really patriotic and interested in protecting the Environment, he challenged them to come for a debate in any of the electronic media organizations .Give me the day, time and venue for the debate. Unlike other MP’s, I shall not remain silent or get frightened to speak on behalf of Muslim’s resettlement. If I also do like other Muslim MPs, there won’t be any one to speak on behalf of them. Allah who blessed me to this world is with me. I shall come over all obstacles placed on our path to resettle Muslims in their own native land. I am prepared even to sacrifice my life for the sake of settling displaced Muslims. If the President asks me to resign from my Ministry Portfolio, I will oblige. If a new electoral system is to be introduced, it should satisfy all the groups in the island including minorities. If Major Parties try to impose a new electoral system against the wishes of Minorities, I will come forward to fight against it. During question time, one of the press men asked why Muslim Refugees can’t be settled in Jaffna. In answering he said that they were chased out from 5 villages located between Wilpattu and Mannar. What the Refugees wanted is to settle them in their own land where they lived for decades. Their names were registered in those electoral areas where they lived. Their dry ration card bears evidence. They were resettled after following all government procedures. Despite these facts they deliberately carry out false propaganda, Rishad said.
Rev.Ananda Sagara Thero has responded by stating that he is prepared to pay Rs100 million compensation under certain conditions and expressed his willingness for a Public TV debate only in Hiru TV. In the best interest of coexisting Sinhalese and Muslims, he agreed for the Public debate on Hiru TV on 28.12.2015 at 1000 hrs. Hope this Public TV debate will put an end to this controversy
