Ensure Food Sovereignty for All Communities

 

A child from High Security Zone in Jaffna joins the protest in Colombo

Small scale food producers play a major role in  ensuring food security in Sri Lanka and worldwide.

Their contribution has even greater significance in a time when the world is acing one of its biggest food crisis. The livelihood of small scale food producers are directly dependent on land including coastal areas,forests and lakes and other natural resources such as water. It is vital that people's right to access, manage and sustain these resources are guaranteed and protected to ensure food sovereignty.

A large number of people, men and women, young and old, ranging from framers to fishermen from all parts of the country, affected by the ongoing post-war development, gathered in front of the Viharamahadevi Park yesterday, and marched towards Lipton Circus, demanding that their fundamental right to food security be guaranteed by ensuring their right to land, water and seeds.People affected by war and ongoing post war development actively participated in the rally.

The protest was jointly organized by the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) and Praja Abhilashi. The rally was organized to coincide with the World Food Day which falls today.

"Let the Tamils live in dignity&with freedom"~demands Tharshini Thavarajah from Keerimalai, High Security Zone in Jaffna

"We need water"

"Don't violate human right"

"Stop land and sea grabbing! Ensure lives and livelihood!" ~ protesters demanded

"Government of Sri Lanka! We want our land"

 "Don't want; Don't want; We don't want tourist hotels"

"Don't lead a luxurious life in poor's misery" ~ protesters continued to chant

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Mullikkulam in Mannar district protest in Colombo

Protesters occupying the street at Lipton Circus

Internally Displaced Persons (displaced due to war and militarisation) from the North sang freedom songs from 1970s and 1980s Tamil cinema, while actively protesting on the streets in Colombo

"We are unable to find suitable jobs" ~ Youth from the East

"Government of Sri Lanka! Ensure livelihood of resettled people"

"Young Ministers!" read the placard in pink

 

"We need justice for war widows and farmers affected in North and East"

"Government should consult the communities before implementing any development projects" ~ affianced people

"When are we going for fishing in the sea?; When are we going to cultivate paddy?; When are Mullikkulam people going to have a better future?"

"Let us lead a normal and simple life" ~ protesters chanted

"Don' want; Don't want; Don' want Oluvil harbour"

"The Miracle of ASIA"

Women affected by the post war development protest

Street drama during the protest

 

"Create livelihood options"

As the protesters "occupied the streets" the vehicles move on the pavement

"Don't sell our land&sea to foreigners and make us poorer"~protesters chant

"Government of Sri Lanka! Don't make the Northern fishermen starve"

"Ensure food sovereignty for all (Sinhalese,Tamils,Muslims&Burghers)" ~ protesters demanded

"Menik Farm was closed down and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) languish in jungle. Who is the owner of Menik farm now?" ~ Reverend Fr. Sathivel

Protesters occupying the streets around Lipton Circus

"Government of Sri Lanka! Stop the Indian trawlers"

Street drama is performed during the protest

"Politicians! Let us have food to feed our children" ~women protesters chanted

 

"Subsidy for breastmilk"

Affected communities rally despite the balmy weather

"Arohara; Arohara; Arohara" chanted by this particular motorcyclist while the protesters occupied the streets.