Rohingya refugees in Sri Lanka now all at sea

Seven males, seven females and seventeen kids took a small boat from Tamil
Nadu in April this year driven by a fantasy to illegally sail off to Australia. The
small boat they used was so small that it wasnt even suitable for crossing a
river, much less a vast sea. The helpless group of Rohingyas became victims of
two Indian human traffickers. The group consisting 31 people, including a
pregnant woman, had been staying in several parts in India, including Jammu-
Kashmir, Hyderabad and Thanjavur, for five years, starting 2012. They left India
this year due to the fear of being sent back to Myanmar. Their decision to leave
was largely fuelled by the attitude they took that theyd rather die than be
deported.
This is the third group from Myanmar to arrive in Sri Lanka
These people were legally recognized as refugees even before arriving in
Sri Lanka
Accidentally but fortunately for them, the small boat saw its journey
being hampered by a technical issue and floated towards Sri Lankan
waters
Thursday, 12 October 2017 09:51
 Sometime back in 2012, they crossed the
Myanmar-Bangladesh border at the Ghumdhum point not in search of a luxurious
life, but just to save themselves. Having being born among the poorest minority of
the country, Myanmar, Rohingyas didnt have an option other than leaving
homelands owing to relentless oppression which caused thousands of them
uprooting. Some even perished during the journey before reaching a shelter.
Their stay in Bangladesh was shortened to six months. Their desperate journey
didnt see an end in India too.
As there is a security concern regarding the lives of these people now, I think the
resettlement process of the UNHCR will be expedited because we need to send
them to another country soon - Country representative of UK Founded Muslim
NGO
These people were aware that many countries dont want them in their countries.
They knew that they are considered a risk to security and thought of as terrorists.
As the situation in Myanmar intensified, hopes of a homecoming were also
fading. In the meantime, they heard of the news that the Indian government was
to deport all undocumented immigrants, including Rohingyas. That is when they
decided to risk their lives and board a boat to reach many South Asian refugees
dream destination; Australia. Each family paid INR 20, 000 to the two Indian
traffickers by selling all their possessions.
Accidentally but fortunately for them, the small boat saw its journey being
hampered by a technical issue and floated towards Sri Lankan waters where they
were found by Sri Lanka Navy on April 30, 2017. When they were detected, all
kids were tethered to their mothers for safety. Most were barefoot. They risked
their lives in the sea in their attempts to find freedom and have a better life.
These helpless Rohingyas would have died or gone missing in the sea as they were
stranded without food, life jackets or water if the Navy didnt rescue them.
Bitter welcome
The illegal immigrants were later brought to Colombo, following an order by the
Mallakam Magistrate to locate them at the Mirihana Detention Centre. The two
Indians who rode the boat are held at Jaffna Prison, with a case pending against
them. Subsequently, with the intervention of the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the 32 people including a new born infant
were transferred to a safe house in Mount Lavinia. The transfer was made when a
21-year- old girl among the refugees was allegedly raped by a police officer, who
was one of the protection officers on duty. The case under B report B/2030/17 in
this regard is at the Gangodawila Magistrates court.
Sri Lanka, a country, where one could see ample examples of desperate victims
during the thirty-year bloody war, made headlines on August 26, 2017 after a
group including Buddhist monks forcibly entered the safe house in Mount Lavinia
where the Rohingya people were accommodated by the UNHCR.
Concern over refugees lives
The country representative of a UK founded Non-Governmental Organization,
which acted as a caretaker of these people, spoke to the Daily Mirror on the
condition of anonymity. He said they have been coordinating with the UNHCR
since 2008, the year which marked the first group of Myanmar refugees arriving
in Sri Lanka.
He said the group of 32 Rohingyas had been provided with all basic requirements
and also the assistance of the NGO and the UNHCR. According to him, six children
were even attending an international school in Panadura.
The incident that happened at a Mount Lavinia safe house was a black mark
against the countrys international image. It was disheartening to see how those
people responded. The incident was politically motivated -Shiraz Noordeen,
Counsel appearing on behalf of the Rohingya group

They are refugees who fled homelands ruptured by war, repression and poverty.
Their journeys have been perilous. They came here in search of safety. But, they
realized that the safety they expected couldnt be found in Sri Lanka after the
monks seized the place they were staying at. These people were legally
recognized as refugees even before arriving in Sri Lanka. The UNHCR will only
keep them here until they find a third country, so that these people can be
resettled. As there is a security concern regarding the lives of these people now, I
think the resettlement process of the UNHCR will be expedited because we need
to send them to a country soon, he said.
Country being legally unbound and morally bound
Refugee Advocate and Human Rights Lawyer Lakshan Dias, speaking to the Daily
Mirror said Sri Lanka isnt bound to accommodate and provide assistance to these
people since the country hasnt signed the UN Convention Relating to the Status
of Refugees of 1951 nor its 1967 Protocol. Other than Afghanistan, none of the
South Asian countries has signed the UN 1951 Convention nor the 1967
Protocol.
The UNHCR is taking care of the Rohingyas and all other immigrants who arrived
in the country. As per the UN regulations, undocumented migrants are required
to make an appeal as asylum seekers and wait till the UNHCR determines them to
the status of refugees. Those who are determined as refugees are eligible for the
UN assistance for health care, education and daily rations, Attorney Dias said.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the UNHCR in 2006 regarding the migrants issue. The
UN is intervening into the subject based on the MoU, he said.
According to Dias, those who arent determined as refugees are repatriated.

As a country which has been a beneficiary of the UN on a large

scale, Sri Lanka has an obligation towards assisting unfortunate people of other
countries when there is a need - Jehan Perera, National Peace Council (NPC)
This is the third group from Myanmar to arrive in Sri Lanka. The first group
consisting 55 people who were en route to Malaysia and Thailand was discovered
by Sri Lanka Navy in 2008. By that time, the Mirihana Detention Centre didnt
exist. Therefore, they were temporarily settled in tents with minimum facilities. A
Christian Anglican Church in Mirihana financed the setting up of toilets for the
people who lived in tents. The UNHCR concluded the refugee determination
process by 2013 and the people were brought to the USA and settled, he
said. The second group consisting 170 people arrived in Sri Lanka in 2013.
Subsequently, they were sent out of the country by 2015 with the assistance of
the UNHCR, Mr. Dias said.
Although being a part of neither the UN Convention nor the Protocol relating to
refugees, the country has a moral responsibility to accept such helpless people.
How should we forget that close to one million Sri Lankans are living in many
countries around the world as refugees? During the bloody stages of the war
against the LTTE, many Sri Lankans fled the country, seeking refugee status in
other countries. Suppose, we go to someones house, eat well and get treated
very well. But, when the people from that house visit our place, we just evict
them. How cruel is this? We should be grateful to the world for providing shelter
for our people who were desperate at times, Dias remarked. He said that the
Rohingyas in the country wont be settled here.
Alleged politics behind monks going amok
Meanwhile, the counsel appearing on behalf of the Rohingya group, Shiraz
Noordeen told the Daily Mirror that he wished to continue the battle until justice
for the Rohingya people is served. He stated that the incident that occurred in
the Mount Lavinia safe house was a black mark against the countrys international
image.
It was disheartening to see how those people reacted calling these unfortunate
people terrorists. It came as a shock. We all know that the incident was
politically motivated. Why are these people not raising voice when millions of Sri
Lankans are employed as housemaids and labourers in the Middle East? This issue
isnt about the race, religion and language of these people, but the identity of Sri
Lanka as a nation and how the country should react during this kind of situation,
he remarked. He said they were coordinating with the UNHCR to accelerate the
process and send the people to a third country as soon as possible.
Accepting refugees annually
National Peace Council (NPC) Executive Director Jehan Perera, was of the view
that Sri Lanka, as a country which has been a beneficiary of the UN on a large
scale, has an obligation towards assisting unfortunate people of other countries
when there is a need.
We have a duty towards accepting a specified number of refugees and provide
them with the necessary assistance. We mustnt turn them away when they come
to us for help. The world has been so helpful to our refugees. In return, we have
to be grateful for what the world has done. Its a moral and ethical matter, he
said.

However, he said that as Sri Lanka is a poor country, where many social, political
and economical issues remain unaddressed, only a limited number of refugees
can be offered assistance because the Government cant afford many.
Over one million Sri Lankans enjoy the shelter of other countries as refugees. It is
time to help other countries in return. People entertain fear in their minds. It is
the Governments duty to educate the people in order to clear the confusions.
We need to see thoroughly whether this fear is real, imaginary or exaggerated by
certain groups. I am sure that the people will understand if they are provided with
true facts regarding these issues, Perera said.

Muslims in Sri Lanka have no intention of settling the Rohingyas in

Wilpattu or any part of the country. This issue should not create disharmony
and a rift between Muslims and Buddhists in Sri Lanka - N.M Ameen, Muslim
Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL)

Speculation regarding settlement in Wilpattu

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) is of the view that it is important to view
the Rohingya crisis not as a Muslim issue, but as a humanitarian one. MCSL
President N.M.Ameen stressed that Muslims in Sri Lanka had no intention of
settling the Rohingyas in Wilpattu nor in any part of the country. He said certain
racist groups had created an image that the MCSL along with other umbrella
organizations representing the Muslims, are working on a conspiracy in
supporting the Myanmar people. The same extremist groups are attempting to
create an Islamphobia among the other communities, he affirmed.
He stressed that it was unfair to call this helpless group of people terrorists just
because some groups in their community created chaos in Myanmar. Ameen
went on to state that none of these issues should create disharmony nor a rift
between the races in Sri Lanka adding that the misunderstandings should be set
aside with.
Some racist groups are carrying out a campaign in social media that these
Rohingya refugees will be settled in lands belonging to the Wilpattu sanctuary. It
is nothing, but a stupid report with no basis, he warned.

A call to solve our own issues

Responding to what MCSL President said, Sinhalese National Front (SNF)
President Ven. Medille Pagnaloka Thera emphasized that they never considered
the Rohingya issue as a religious issue, but as an issue related to refugees. He
alleged that many parties were making a futile attempt to shift focus from the
main issue towards an unnecessary angle. The Thera opined that Sri Lanka isnt
capable of facilitating refugees of another country due to its unstable economy
and unbearable amount of debts and issues prevailing in the country.
Pagnaloka Thera said, before solving issues of another country, the Government
should relocate internally displaced people who have been deprived of basic
rights despite being citizens of the country. We are still recovering from a 30-
year terrorist conflict. At this rate, the whole country will become a refugee camp
if we go on accommodating helpless refugees. This is a very bad example, the
priest remarked.
Threat to national security
Pagnaloka Thera alleged that the Sinhalese National Front along with its affiliated
organizations is having suspicions regarding a conspiracy being hatched when
considering the extra-special treatment given by umbrella organizations and
NGOs, working in support of the Muslim community, to the Rohingyas. He was of
the view that accepting Rohingyas and allowing them to live in the country for
years possesses an alarming threat to the national security and also to the
harmony between the communities of Sri Lanka.

If these Rohingyas were not discovered, they would have remained

and slowly become part of the citizenry and then started increasing in numbers
and make demands - Medille, Pagnaloka Thera Sinhalese National Front (SNF)
If the people and the Bhikkus didnt discover these Rohingyas they would have
remained and slowly become part of the citizenry. They would have then started
increasing in numbers and made demands and pose a problem in the future. The
Government started talking about the group of Rohingyas only after our
organizations seized the high-storey apartment in Mount Lavinia. Until then, the
Government didnt say a word when asked about the Rohingya issue. The official
count of Rohingyas in the country is 32. How many uncounted Rohingyas might
be living in other parts of the country? Except for the ones who support these
people behind the scene, even the Government isnt able to make a clear
statement in this regard, Pagnaloka Thera said.
What the Thera suggested the Government to do is urge the UNHCR to send the
Myanmar refugees as soon as possible to another country. The longer they stay
here, more problems will be created in the country, the priest said.
National policy
Ravana Balaya is also an organization against accepting and accommodating
Rohingya refugees into the country. Its Secretary Ven. Iththakande Saddatissa
Thera said that the Sri Lankan Government made a huge mistake by allowing the
UNHCR to assist the Myanmar refugees.
The country is in need of a national policy with regard to refugees. There wasnt
even an official symbol of the UNHCR or the Sri Lankan Government on the walls
of the shelter house where the Rohingyas were housed, the Thera stated.
He said that Ravana Balaya wasnt against helping unfortunate refugees and they
had no motive to drag the people from bad to worse. He pointed out that the
Government should have kept the general public informed regarding the
Rohingya refugee issue beforehand and if that had happened, the monks and the
other people wouldnt have gone amok, seizing the shelter house in Mount
Lavinia.
According to the Thera, neither the Grama Niladari of Mount Lavinia nor the
Officer in Charge of Mount Lavinia Police was aware of such Rohingya people
staying in their area.
We arent encouraging inhumane demeanor towards these stateless people.
Even our religion and culture does not support such acts. But, the proud history of
Sri Lanka demonstrates how Buddhist monks have taken the lead and opposed
any activity that posed a threat on the nation. Why should we invite unnecessary
problems to the country? We have ample issues to solve. We have suffered with a
years-long conflict which originated due to disparities regarding race and religion.

Why should we invite unnecessary problems to the country? We have

ample issues to solve. Since we learnt lessons from the past, we should be wise
and careful - Iththakande Saddatissa Thera, Ravana Balaya Organization

Since we learned lessons from the past, we should be wise and careful in making
decisions regarding these sort of issues, the Thera remarked. He said that the
Government should solve the problems related to the displaced people of the
Aranayake landslide before solving problems related to people of other
countries.
We have also noted that there are attempts being made to damage our historic
identity, our culture and traditions. We condemn the actions of some Islamic
Ministers in the Government who are encouraging these illegal activities, he
said.
Sri Lanka stands by Myanmar
When it comes to the big picture regarding this issue, more than half a million
Rohingya have fled Myanmar since August 25 following insurgent attacks on
security forces which triggered a violent Government crackdown. The UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights recently described this move by the Myanmar
Goverment as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.
Myanmar rejects the accusations of ethnic cleansing and has labeled the militants
from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, who launched the initial attacks, as
terrorists who have killed civilians and burnt villages. Reuters reported that the
United States and EU have been considering imposing sanctions against Myanmar
military leaders, diplomats and officials.
As the issue affects Sri Lanka, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe
recently informed the media that the Sri Lankan Government stands by the
position taken by the Myanmar Government with regard to the Rohingya crisis.
Sri Lanka has strong bilateral relations with Myanmar. As a Theravadi Buddhist
country, Sri Lanka has historical ties with Myanmar. We can relate the situation in
Myanmar to what we experienced during the war time, the minister noted.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) last week held an
urgent meeting with several Ministries to discuss the incident involving Rohingya
refugees. The Cultural Affairs Ministry, Justice Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Ministry
of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and the Ministry of Law and
Order were among the institutions that participated in the meeting.
The Police Department, Prisons Department and the local representatives of the
UNHCR had also been called for the meeting. Chairperson of the Commission
Deepika Udagama said that the SLHRC will compile a report following the meeting
and submit it to the Government.
Posted by Thavam