| by Rajasingham Jayadevan
( March 1, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) My recent visit to Jaffna stretched once again (like in January 2012) a trip to the north-west coastal islands due to my visiting relatives wanting to worship at the Shree Nagapooshani Amman temple in the Islet of Nainativu. A contingent of fifteen relatives went to the islet.
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| Paramilitary Leader Minister Douglas Devananda |
It was a very bumpy drive on the pothole and patchwork road. The drive did not give any impression that there is any major roadwork plan for the narrow lagoon road. The intermittent pothole patchwork undertaken confirmed the fate of the road for the motorists for some time to come.
The residential areas of the islets to Nainativu showed further decay and lull compared to my year ago visit. The once well inhabited areas to the infamous Nainative Amman temple gave me a sad feeling that the area is progressing towards a ghost ground.
My thoughts attempted to probe the reasons for the decay. I was of the view when I visited in January 2012 the migrated diaspora Tamils from these islets were the real cause for the crumble, as they are disinterested to look back after the war ended. Though there is truth in it, there is also a further factor that is preventing the islet people resettling.
I was able to establish that the controlling interest on the islets of the paramilitary leader and Minister of the government Douglas Devananda group is also contributing towards the instability. Through they are not overtly operating, their dictate is another influencing factor on the people. Incidents of highhanded behaviour of the paramilitary EPDP party that is even accused of involvement in killings and rapes (even a child rape and murder in the islands) has caused deep fear in the people. It is claimed, during election times their activities become very threatening for the islands people.
Disengagement of the paramilitary forces must be a genuine reconciliation process, but unfortunately this is not taking place. The traditional Tamil dress of white Vesti and Kurtha wearing Minister Douglas Devananda is allowed to continue with his unhindered authority in Jaffna from his illegally occupied headquarters at the Sridhar Theatre.
I was told his ministerial position is used to take heavy bribes. In order to secure a government job he is said to be charging Rs 400,000. This is, in a way preventing the poor and hard pressed reaching him for help. There is also a claim that there is real completion between Minister Douglas Devananda and a government patronised one time leading human smuggler for asylum seeking in the West during the war. The human smuggler is also said to be charging the same Rs 400,000 for securing government job, but is said to be giving flexible term to pay the charge.
Further passing Valanai town, a big Hindu temple is in progressive decay with the roadside deity for the passing worshipers has been overwhelmed by placement of a Buddhist statue adjacent to the deity. It is clearly an indication of a enforced effort that has overriding implication for the fearing people in the islands.
Shree Nagapoosai Ambal temple in Nainativu has been fully reconstructed and stood with glamour and much vibrancy.
The government’s inaction to deal with the inherent rogue culture is complicating the reconciliation process further and the already suffering Tamil people are being put through prolonged hardships as a result.
 My recent visit to Jaffna stretched once again (like in Jan...){kind=link}