Caritas SED-Galle

Murawasihena Grama Sewaka division of Ambalantota Divisional Secretary’s division of Hambantota District consists of Siyambalakatuwa, Murawasihena and Armi-ela villages. During the period 1930-1940 people from other areas came to this area to engage in chena (highland) cultivation and settled down. In the year 1950 during the rule of former Prime Minister (Mr Bandaranayake) when agricultural projects including Chandrika Wewa (Water Supply Scheme) started, the people who came from many outside areas were given low and highlands under Siyambalakatuwa Colony Scheme and was developed as a village.

Armi-Ela was a jungle at that time. People cultivated chena lands (high lands) and 15-20 families made temporary houses and settled down. No one in the village had legally allocated lands. All cultivated on encroached state lands. In the year 1970 during the rule of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranayake the Government started an Agricultural Farm at Murawasihena through Youth Services Program. Irrigation channels were extended from Chandrikawewa (Tank) ad new farmers were given state lands. The village started to develop but developments centered on Murawasihena village. By the time 25-30 families in Armi-Ela engaged in chena cultivation (high lands) but there were no permanent houses.

However in the year 1980 with the start of Mahaweli Water Scheme, our village started to develop at a speedy rate. Lands were allocated to landless people through Land Katcheries (by Government). By this time our village (Armi-Ela) started to be colonized. Although the number of families increased, common facilities did not develop. There were no tiled houses; all houses were cadjan-roofed. People cultivated paddy lands and many people did highland cultivations.

With the passing of time, the population of the village increased. Outsiders who were landless came and settled down in jungle lands. During a short spell of time population of our village increased. The population of 40-50 families in the year 1990 increased to 150 families in about the year 2000. By this time those who were illegal land owners were given ¼ acre of land on permit by the State under Mahaweli but a section of people still live as illegal encroachers. Yet there is no legal barrier for them. From time to time considering their requests they are allocated lands to the extent of ¼ acres by the Mahaweli Authority to build a house. Only a few people in our village own lowland (for paddy cultivation) and others have pieces of high lands. People live amid cultivations and labour work on other lands. People in our village suffer from lack of permanent housing, water, electricity, sanitary facilities, drug use and lack of fixed sources of income.

During this time Caritas SED Galle started its National Animation Program in the middle of year 2000. This Institution linked with the village through the Grama Sewa Niladhari (Village Officer). By this time the only voluntary organizations in the village were Death Benevolent Society, Farmers Society, There were also the Samurdhi Development Society and the Women’s Society. Caritas SED Galle after being combined with us with 12 male members formed a small group called “Rashmi Sahayogitha Organization” We discussed our issues and problems. We started a saving scheme on a small scale. We did many programs such as voluntary services, Bodhi Puja, Tree Planting Programs, epidemic disease prevention programs, drug prevention programs, organic farm gardening, exchange of voluntary labour etc. A change for better occurred among us. People of our village admired activities of our group. People started to discuss about our programs. The outcome was the formation of 05 number of small groups within a period of 03 years. Membership rose to 49. An organizational structure developed in the village without any outside influence. This organizational strength made an impact in village activities.

We did not have a cemetery at this time. We made appeals to Mahaweli Authority and obtained a land for same. We implemented a program to prevent drugs. Our work succeeded day by day. Our groups have over 500,000.00 LKR in their savings now. These money are what we saved and not belong to others.

Although our village was developing, there are many unsettled issues in the community. Among them the main necessity was a Community Centre. We obtained a land from Mahaweli Authority but we did not have financial strength to build a permanent building. We built a temporary Community Centre in a common land. All villagers helped to build this. We held our meetings and discussions in this temporary community centre but our aim was to build a permanent building in this land.

We made appeals to Pradeshiya Sabha (Village Council) and also to political leaders, wrote to many Institutions and Organizations. Also appealed to Divisional Secretary’s Office. We spoke to many during many years but our expectations never realized. Yet we never dropped our goal.

One day in the year 2008 Director of Caritas SED Galle, Rev. Fr. Damian Arsakularatne and a team of officers came and discussed issues and problems of our Group. We appealed to Rev. Fr. Damian about the building of the Community Centre. Fr. Damian did not give a promise but said we would try. After a long lapse of time in September 2009 Fr. Damian Arsakularatne came to our village again. A meeting was held with the villagers inside the temporary Community Centre, but the meeting had to be concluded outside the building as the tin sheets were broken / decayed and there was sun light to the building through the holes in the tin sheets. Outside was better than inside. At the end Father Director gave us an unexpected target that is to start construction work immediately in order to open the building by 1st January 2010.

We were really thrilled. We discussed with Father Director the funds available, the draft design for the expected Community Centre etc. Caritas SED Galle guided and delegated power for us to start work as wished. We needed more than 1,600,000.00 LKR to complete the building but Caritas SED Galle could allocate only 1,000,000.00 LKR for this work. We accepted the challenge.

We distributed responsibilities as a group. We obtained the help of every one, elders and children. Unskilled labour was provided by villagers and members of the group. Masons in the village worked voluntarily 03 days without any payment. Villagers gave tea, meals etc. Timber required for scaffoldings were provided free by villagers. We purchased only building materials required. We obtained free all what were available in the village. Only the implements were supplied through our intervention. We formed committees for all works and distributed responsibilities. We never had conflicts while working. We all worked as one from the beginning up to completion of the works. We are happy to say that within 2-1/2 months all work in the Community Centre were completed. Not only that the Community Centre was constructed 50 feet long and 20 feet wide complete with electricity. Many people say the constructions would have cost over 2,000,000.00 LKR of Rupees but we have saved 8,000.00 LKR out of the money given to us.

Not any money was misused. Everything was well-managed. We never used sub-standard building materials. Caritas SED Galle conducted financial transactions and all other activities in a transparent manner. We thank Caritas SED Galle many times for same. It is a valuable resource for our children and future generations.

We were able to do all these due to our unity, harmony and collectivity created by Caritas SED Galle through their intervention since 2000. Therefore I wish to say that if we are united, work harmoniously as brothers there is nothing we cannot win and I wish to thank again all who helped us in this matter.

S. G. D. Sugathapala Athukorale
President of Village Task Committee

Last updated -2011/12/01

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