Sri Lanka "needs
development" but must focus on "its people's welfare, and respect everyone's
dignity, rights and liberty.
By contrast, making decisions on people's backs
will not turn it into the 'Marvel of Asia'," said Card Malcolm Ranjith, president
of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka.
During a press conference at the Cardinal
Cooray Educational Centre in Negombo last Thursday, the prelate called on the
government to review its tax policies, slamming choices that favour
multinationals at the expense of people and nature, especially in Negombo
Lagoon (Central Province), the area most affected by the rush towards
development, known as 'Little Rome' because its inhabitants are predominantly
Catholic fishermen.
In 2011, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa launched a series of development projects, especially in the area of
tourism, in order to turn Sri Lanka into the 'Marvel of Asia' with resorts and
luxury hotels. The goal is to attract 2.6 million tourists and billions of
rupees by 2016.
However, the projects were given
to multinational corporations without any input from local residents. The latter
at best can hope to find jobs in the new resorts, after having their property
seized and their rights violated.
What is more, "Some influential
people are using the lagoon as a dumping ground for waste," said Fr Pradeep
Chaminda. This and the destruction of the mangroves are causing huge damages to
the local ecosystem. If it continues, "the livelihoods of as many as 4,000
families could be jeopardised,' the priest said.
Drug addiction, especially among
youth, is another major problem. For Fr Terrance Bodiyabaduge, police and the
authorities are doing nothing to tackle the issue, leaving locals to cope with
it as best they can.
"There is a sense that there is a
plan to destroy the lives of fishermen, young people and children," he explained.
"The area was known for its strong drinks, now for its drugs. It is a tragedy
because children are the future of our Church."
Recently, the authorities went
after Cardinal Cooray Educational Centre's electrical bill. The government
wants to charge the Centre as if it were a business, said Fr Francis Senanayake.
However, "We train teachers here, we host conferences and offer programmes for
families. We are not involved in activities for profit or trying to earn money."