Women's Declaration to the land of humanity devoid ...

" Women's Action for Social Justice " is a composite of 174 organizations consisting of farmers, fisher-folk, estate labour, garment workers, migrant workers those in various other fields and men with experience, formed for the betterment of the society.

This network which stands for social justice firmly believes that there is no solution for war other than a political settlement. With this end in view we have been engaged in forming a public opinion and have commenced a dialogue for the establishment of human relations between the ordinary people in the North and the South.

Earlier when the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) was in force, all Sri Lankans irrespective of ethnicity and religion had the opportunity to live without fear. They enjoyed some sort of freedom too.

But now in view of the war situation prevailing in the country people are living in fear. Individual killings and mass massacre of people instil a sense of fear amongst the ordinary masses. The resultant destruction of properties and environmental damage have retarded the social and economic development activities.
Fanning BY the Media

It is loathsome to note the way the media personnel report through both the electronic and print media distorted facts about the war. In view of the false reports published in the media, ordinary masses have been deprived of the opportunity to get at the facts. The bias attitude of the media has made the people in the North and the South aggressive and has fanned the flames of hatred amongst the various ethnic groups. This attitude of the media has aggravated the present situation.

Permanent Displacement

War is not a necessity of the people. The majority of the inhabitants wants to lead a peaceful and simple life by fulfilling their least essential requirements. But the present war situation has deprived those in the North and the South their right to lead a family life. Most people tend to forget that whilst some in the south celebrate the Christmas and the Sinhala New Year on a grand scale, 175,000 people are confined to the Jaffna Penusula in the North, 50,000 children are faced with the continued war which has become a very grave issue, 50,000 have migrated to Batticaloa from Vakarai as displaced, approximately 100,000 in the South and the Central Hills have lost their dwellings and everything due to floods and land slides and who live in temporary make shift camps in hunger and fear.

Those in authority should take prompt action to stop the ravaging war which has pressurized and dumped the ordinary masses into an abyss. The postponement of peace talks due to whatever reason would only aggravate the national problem. Time has come to take action not to subjugate to the forces bent on war without resorting to peace talks. We should not forget the risk of pushing the country into the hands of the world powers on the pretext of bringing about peace in the country. Those who are responsible and those who are intent on arriving at a political situation should work together without any party discrimination.

What is happening is that the Ministers and the Ministry Officers whist enjoying all the political benefits, get their salaries and allowances increased, implement adverse programmes which are detrimental to the masses of the country and eontinue the war which would ultimately plunge the country into a chaotic condition and displace more people and increase the poverty of the masses. People expect to have good leaders devoid of narrow political aims.

People cannot refrain from listening to the woes of the mothers who cannot provide food to their hungry children. Nor can anybody allow this situation to continue.

Hence, we as unarmed women of the South, Central Hills, North and East request the President as the Head of the country and the LTTE leader who wages war in the name of the rights of the Tamil people to come to the negotiating table to settle this long standing issue and bring about peace.

Amongst the various projects identified as those for the development of the country such as Upper Kothmale Hydro Electro Power Plant, Express Highways, Tourist Zones, International Air Ports construction of large scale ports, expending collosal sums of money mainly for the benefit of big entrepreneurs are being promptly implemental, restlessness amongst the ordinary people exists as no action has been taken to solve the problems of tens of thousands of the displaced.

Escalation of the cost of living

There is an increase in the uncertainty of the livelihoods as a result of the war situation and other catastrophes. Those who earn their monies on a day to day basis doing odd jobs are the worst affected by the sky-rocketing prices of the essential commodities. As a consequence the burden placed on the masses in the North is ten times heavier than that placed on the masses in the South.

We cannot forget the wailings of women for those who have lost their beloved spouses, children and relatives and for those displaced due to the war which has been raging for more than two decades. Hence we request the President as the leader of Sri Lanka and the LTTE leader who wages war in the name of the rights of the Tamil people to come to the negotiable table to settle this long standing issue and bring about peace.

Our Demands

1. Prompt stoppage of individual killings and massacre of people.
2. To commence discussions immediately to go beyond the CFA signed by the two parties to stop rivalries and the war till such time peace is restored.
3. To co-erce to stop immediate publishing of reports in both the print and electronic media in a partial manner to rouse the masses.
4. To prevent activities in whatever form to create division amongst the various ethnic groups.
5. To create an atmosphere for the ordinary masses in the North, East, and plantation areas to live freely and engage in their livelihoods and to protect their rights.
6. To refrain from placing unnecessary burdens on the masses in the North and South due to war.
7. To appoint women too to represent the Sinhales, Tamil and Muslim communities in the North, South, East and the Plantation areas as representatives of the Sri Lanka Monitory Mission.
8. To conduct all activities in the country in such a way so as to build confidence, co-ordination and mutual relationship amongst the various ethnicities.
9. We as mothers condemn the recruitment of children to the war that is going on in the North, South and the East. Hence to take immediate action to protect the Sri Lankan future generation.
10. To take action to re-settle the displaced in their own villages and to stabilize their livelihoods. We who work in close collaboration with the farmers, fisher-folk, estate labour and those in other fields wish to convince. His Excellency The President and the LTTE group to interfere in taking the above steps to restore peace in the country.

"Women's Action for Social justice" Network

SAVISTHRI-Womens Net Work
Vanitha Shrama Nikethanaya
Janawabodha Kendraya
Co-operative Women's Society
Mother's Movement for combating Malnutrition
Govi Thoraturu Maddyasthanaya
Family Relief Service Centre
Mahajana Salasum Komisama
Nirmani Circle
Rural Womens Front
Dabindu Collection
Videsha Seva Aitheen Surakeeme Sanvidanaya
Southern Fisheries Organization-Galle
Ruhunu Magampura Govi samithi Sanvidanaya
Southern Fisheries Organization – Matara
Binthanna Kantha Ekathuwa
Southern Fisheries Organization – Hambanthota
Penvimoshana Gnanodayam
National Fisheries Solidarity
Lanka Guruseva Sangamaya
Uwa-Wellassa Govi Kantha Sanvidanaya
Movement of National Land and Agricultural Reform
Community Education Centre
Manawasampath Surakeeme Sanvidanaya
Rajarata Janaprobodhani Padanama
Community and Environmental Development Foundation
Madiyugam Sanvidanaya
Peoples Health Movement
Matale District Kantha Ekathuwa
Vikalpani Sandanaya
Kantha Shakthi
Womens Foundation - Wellassa
Kadawatha Kantha Ekathuwa
Peoples Collective for Peace Development
Relief Service Womens Organization
Kantha Diripiyasa
Wavili Gramiya Praja Sanwardhana Maddyastanaya
Shramabimani Kendraya
Samaja ha Samayika Kendraya
Kalutara District Deewara Sahayogithawa
Women Centre
Arunodaya Parisarikayo
Praja Diriya Padanama
Community Development Organization
Manawahimikam, Sanwardhana saha
Eastern United Womens Organization
Neethi Sahana Karyalaya
Pulse Sri Lanka
Gami Kantha Padanama-Kadawatha
Pubuduwa Women's Section
Praja – Colombo

Women Call For Peace with Justice

Development of the Ecological Farm at Anuradhapura

A two day (2007.03.03 – 04) work programme was carried out at the Ecological Farm at Anuradhapura for the development of the farm which had hitherto been in a partially developed state. This two day work programme included the clearing of the thicket infested with snakes which had covered almost one half of the land allocated for the farm, cutting and paving a gravel road leading to the farm house, preparation of plots for potatoes and to sow vegetable seeds and cereals, cutting of a cess pit for the lavatory and making arrangements to store water to water the plants etc. In addition to the two officials and the co-ordinator Ecological Home Gardening, from the Savisthri Head Office, the Savisthri District and Field co-ordinators and Savisthri members of the Anuradhapura District, and two consultants participated and contributed their might. Mention must be made of the great contribution made by the youth in the area.

The Farm House made of wattle and daub with a thatched roof is almost complete now secured with a door and window and the Savisthri members at Anuradhapura now utilize it to have their meetings seated on mats spread an the floor paved with a mixture of cow-dung and soil which has a close resemblance to a typical village house.

A Programme to get the public opinion regarding Peace

"Womens' Action for Social Justice " and the "Mothers Movement for Combatting Malnutrition " have reached a consensus to get the views of the masses representing all communities in the country regarding peace having considered the present war situation prevailing in the country. According to the consensus reached, a document has been prepared against the war and violence on the theme "Womens' Declaration against all sorts of violence against a life of peace and prosperity ensuring Sri Lankan identity " embodying the views of unarmed women and those in the womens' network as mothers against war and violence and handed over copies of same to the government, LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) Sri lanka Truce Monitoring Mission and other affiliated organizations.

Accordingly a one day programme to get the views and suggestions of the masses regarding "Peace" is scheduled to be held on 25.10.2006 from 1025 hrs – 1530 hrs. at the Auditorium of the Public Library.

It is the firm belief of the womens' network that you and your organization which anticipate a humanitarian society devoid of conflicts and violence would extend your unstinted support and co-operation to this programme.

To facilitate the organizational activities you are kindly requested to perfect the attached form indicating your participation / non participation and forward same to a reach us on or before 13.10.2006.

Thanking you,
Padma Pushpakanthi
Convenor
Womens' action for Social Justice
and Mothers Movement for Combatting Malnutrition

Programme to get the public opinion regarding "Peace" to be held on 25.10.2006 from 1025hrs – 1530hrs. at the Auditorium, Public Library


01. Name of the participating
Organization : …………………………………………………………………

02. Address of the Organization : …………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………


03. District : ………………………………….

04. No. of Participants :
Sinhala …………
Tamil ………....
Muslim …………
Others …………

05. Name/ Telephone Number/Address
of the individual responsible for the participants : …………………………………………………
..............................................................
06. Provision of food for the participants :

Breakfast – Expenses : ………………………….
Dinner - Expenses …………………………..

07. Transport Charges : …………………………..

I certify that the above particulars are true and accurate.

Name : ………………………….

Date : ………………………….

Signature : ………………………….

Frank (if available) …………………………….

(It is highly appreciated if an awareness regarding this matter is created amongst the participants before their participation)
We are waiting for your urgent reply through the e-mail : sasthri@sltnet.lk

On 2005.09.21 the network "Women's Action for Social Justice" with Savisthri as the Convener held a protest campaign and a rally opposite the Fort Railway Station against the :-

i. escalating cost of living,
ii. adverse development plans; and
iii. globalization disaster;

This protest campaign was organized under the below mentioned three factors :-

1.Holding of this campaign and the rally with the participation of approximately 1000 individuals affiliated to the Network representing farmers, fisher-folk, plantation sectors migrant workers, those in the garment factories and those displaced by the tsunami as well as the internal conflicts.

2.Handing over of a document titled "Women's document for the betterment of the nation" to the then Prime Minister, Mr. Mahinda Rajapakshe.

3.Holding of a press conference to make the media both print and electronic aware of this at the Hotel Nipon Colombo. For this, members of the media as well as representatives of the Women's Action for Social Justice" participated.

CONGRESS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 21.09.2006 AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY REGARDING PEACE WHICH IS A VITAL ISSUE IN THE COUNTRY

PROJECT PROPONENT - WOMEN'S ACTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Women's Action for Social Justice (WASJ) is a network comprising of 174 organizations representing the farmers, fisher-folk, plantation, labour, garment, migrant workers and others in various spheres and individuals with experience, bent on creating a better society.

This network is a group of organizations which works against work programmes purported to be for the development of the country but in fact which adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of the people as well as the environment and make the masses aware of the adverse effects of such programmes and obstruct the implementation of such activities in the country. The members of this network are engaged in the formulation of an alternate structure for the actual development based on the views of the masses. We got the opportunity to hand over to the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on 21.09.2005 prior to the Presidential Elections held in November 2005 a document embodying a series of proposals known as the "Women's Declaration for the Betterment of the Nation ."

CO- ORDINATION : By the SAVISTHRI (Women for Development Alternatives) Organization.

At the monthly Steering Committee meeting of the "Savisthri" (Women for Development Alternatives) Organization held on 05.02.2003, it was decided to hand over a document embodying our development alternatives to the representatives of the World Bank.

This was based on the undermentioned factor :
The development plans purported to be for the progress of the country and that are being implemented have resulted only in an increase in poverty and deterioration of the existing avenues of livelihoods. Since there is every possibility of implementing progressive plans in the interest of the masses without placing any burdens on them, the steering committee of the Savisthri Organization decided to inform that Savisthri is against such adverse programmes formulated by the World Bank and the other international lending institutions.

"Savisthri" not being alone:
Since this problem has developed into a big issue, the Savisthri organization instead of taking action single handed decided to summon the representatives of the organizations working for the upliftment of the women in farming, fishing, plantation sectors, labour and those in the other spheres and decided to have an initial discussion regarding this matter.

Hence the Savisthri Organization summoned individuals and organizations agreeable to exert impacts to defeat the plans/development programmes formulated by the World Bank and other international lending institutions, which are detrimental to the well being of the masses and their livelihoods.

A knowledge regarding the activities of the Network - "Women's Action for Social Justice" which meets every month at the instance and co-ordination of the "Savisthri" Organization carried out hitherto, could be gained through our web site.

Convener : Padma Pushpakanthi

Address : 30/4 (1/1), Uswatta Mawatha, Ethul Kotte, Sri Lanka

Telephone : 011-2865084, 077-3615536

Fax : 011-2865084

E-mail : sasthri@sltnet.lk

Web : http:// savisthri.blogspot.com

OBJECTIVE

For more than 23 years Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in the North and East provinces in Sri Lanka have been severely battered by the ongoing war. Although the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) is in force, a war situation has arisen in the country which has created a sense of fear and instability amongst all the citizen of this country. Slaying of individuals and massacre of civilians which are rampant in the country as a result of the conflict between the government forces and the rebel group (LTTE) are heart rending incidents. Masses are unable to get at the truth as a result of the bias attitude of the media. The children who are affected by the war are leading miserable lives. The war situation which has resulted in property destruction and environmental damage in addition to the loss of life has retarded the development of the country politically socially and economically. If no prompt action is taken regarding this matter, the country's national issue would be aggravated and both parties engaged in the war would seek a solution by engaging in a war. This is not what the civilians require. Hence there should be a forum for the masses to express their views, to get at the truth and arrive at a common consensus.

DECISION
Since this is an important factor, this decision was arrived at the monthly meeting of the "Women's Action for Social Justice" held on 15th July 2006 at the Savisthri Head Office.

ACTIVITY
Congress to arrive at a general consensus pertaining to awareness regarding the National issue, obtaining public opinion and regarding peace.

The Theme : "Let Us Move In Love To an Island of Humanity, Away From a Graveyard
of Death and Mourning."

Date : 2006. 09. 21

Time : From 1000hrs to 1600hrs

Venue : Auditorium of the Public Library, Colombo

Participants expected : Approximately 1000 or it may be more
ALLOCATIONS

Money had been allocated by Caritas New Zealand a funding partner of the Savisthri Organization, to a programme of Savisthri for summoning monthly meetings and for special minor programmes. We also received monetary assistance from Caritas in the month of May 2003, for a programme planned by the Savisthri Organization together with the network organizations against the work programme "Poverty Reduction for strategy paper (PRSP) implemented by the government at that time. Savisthri has no allocations for such activities. But as and when the necessity arises our organization makes arrangements to get finances for programmes which are considered as urgent and of an important nature.

On an earlier occasion for a protest campaign carried out by us on 21.09.2005 against the escalation of the cost of living and privatization, Action Aid Sri Lanka generously contributed to cover the expenses.

Therefore I forward herewith the estimates prepared by the committee appointed for this programme which is considered as timely and very important. Hence I shall thank you to go through this and apprise me early whether you could make a contribution regarding this matter to cover our expenses. If you are not in a position to extend your co-orperation in this regard which I do not think you would do at this very critical juncture, I kindly request you to forward it to another institution which is capable of fulfilling our request.


ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE

(i) Meals (Breakfast) (Rs. 50x1000) - 50,000.00
(ii) Meals (Lunch) ( Rs. 60x1000) - 60,000.00
(iii) Tea (Rs. 30x1000) - 30,000.00
(iv) Meals (Dinner) (Rs. 50x800) - 40,000.00
---------------
Rs.180,000.00

(v) Printing of Invitation cards and postage - 3,000.00
(vi) Cultural Team - 10,000.00
(vii) Charges for the Interpreter (for 1 day) - 6,000.00
(viii) Hall charges 3,000.00

(ix) Printing of banners

Banner of the Network (in 3 languages) }
Banner embodying the theme (in 3 languages) } - 15,000.00

(x) Sounds - 5,000.00
(xi) Photography 1,500.00
(xii) Hand Bills (Peace Document)
(Tamil – 5000 copies, Sinhala – 1000 copies) - 15,000.00

(xiii) Other Expenses - 10,000.00
(xiv) Transport - 378,000.00
(xv) Charges for the speakers - 2,000.00
-----------------
Total 628,500.00
============

The objective for the formation of this net-work was to avert the adverse consequences such as increase in poverty and destruction of country's resources which would have resulted with the implementation of the plan "Re-Gaining of Sri Lanka " purported to have been put into operation for the development of the country. This network "Women's Action for Social Justice " was formed with the main intention of contributing to an Alternative Development Activity favorable for the masses to exert impacts on the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the government which formulated this adverse plan.

The photo shows the discussion the members of the network had with Peter Harold the Sri Lanka Resident Representative of the World Bank against the "Re-gaining of Sri Lanka" plan.
Peter Harold is shown here along with PadmPushpakanthi(Convener, Women's Action for Social Justice), Gloria De
Silva(Family Relife Service Center),Hyacinth De Silv (Nirmani),Geetha Lakmini(National Fisheries Solidarity),
Rev.Sister Christine (Shramabimani Center).