Exploring voices from Kayts Island in Jaffna-By Shabeer Mohamed in Jaffna
Source:Ceylontoday
Our Citizen Dialogue journey took us next to the Jaffna District, where we ventured not into Jaffna town but into smaller, lesser-heard villages and towns beyond the urban centre. Jaffna is known for its vibrant historical city life, but its rural populace, comprising a significant portion of the district, often remains under-represented in mainstream media. Determined to amplify these voices, we set out to connect with ordinary citizens in these communities. During the last Parliamentary Elections, the National People’s Power Party made history by winning three Parliamentary seats in the Jaffna Electoral District, marking a shift that challenged the dominance of the region’s traditional Tamil political parties. This watershed moment secured the party over 80,000 votes; a significant political turning point for the region.
Our exploration of Jaffna led us to Kayts Island, a place with a storied history shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences due to its strategic position. Once a vital trading hub, Kayts suffered heavily during the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), resulting in displacement and destruction. The island’s recovery has been slow but steady, with initiatives focussed on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting agriculture and fishing, and harnessing its tourism potential. The Kayts electorate is surrounded by a group of islands. These include islands such as Delft, Nainathivu, and Kachchathivu. On our journey, we went to the main island of Kayts.
Voices from Kayts Island
Our first conversation was with Santhakumar, a local entrepreneur, who candidly shared his thoughts on the region’s political shift.
“Although there are many reasons for the recent political changes, the main reason is the hatred and frustration of the people towards the previous politicians,” he said, reflecting on the corruption and poorly implemented development projects of prior administrations.
Santhakumar expressed cautious hope for the new Government, “We can now sit and talk with our Fisheries Minister from Jaffna. That wasn’t possible before. Of course, we can’t expect them to resolve every problem overnight; they need time.” He also emphasised the untapped tourism potential of Kayts Island and called for the Government’s support in developing the area into a thriving tourist destination. We then met Satheesh Kumar, a 40-year-old resident, who painted a grim picture of life on the island. “Encircled by the sea, we must travel to Jaffna even for necessities. Job opportunities here are scarce, and it’s a hard life,” he explained. Satheesh highlighted the profound impact of the war on the community, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure development and economic opportunities to help the region heal from decades of conflict.
The elders of Kayts Island
As we strolled through Kayts, we noticed three elderly residents in their seventies resting by a small shop. Their collective voice echoed the struggles of their community. On Government promises, one commented:
“People have faith in every Government when they vote. But whether they keep their promises only God knows.”
They raised concerns about the skyrocketing prices of essentials and reminisced about the region’s tragic past during the war. “Many here came from Mullivaikkal during the last war. I remember some families sold their pawned gold to buy food in those days. These stories still haunt us.” Their plea was clear, “We’ve lost our young age nearly three decades to war. Our younger generation should never face such devastation. We want peace and unity.”
A glimpse into Kayts’ past
As we wrapped up our visit, we encountered Linus, a 90-year-old retired teacher. Riding a motorcycle, he shared heartfelt memories of Kayts’ past prosperity. “The port and abundance of fish once made this area thrive. But in 1990, when the military arrived, everything changed. People were displaced, and the wounds of that period remain visible.” Linus expressed disappointment in past leadership. “Rulers often deceived the Tamil people, and the resulting disenchantment showed in the recent elections. While there is some hope for the current Government, optimism remains cautious.” He pointed out the scarcity of drinking water as a critical issue for islanders today.
Fort Hammenhiel: A historical gem of Kayts
Kayts Island is not only a land of untapped potential but also home to one of Sri Lanka’s hidden historical treasures, Fort Hammenhiel. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and later occupied by the Dutch, the fort is a stunning example of colonial military architecture. Positioned strategically at the entrance to Jaffna Lagoon, its name, translating to “Heel of Ham,” underscores its significance in guarding naval routes. Fort Hammenhiel’s history is as rich as it is varied. In addition to serving as a stronghold during colonial times, the fort was repurposed as a high-security prison. It famously held Rohana Wijeweera, the founder of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), and others associated with the 1971 insurrection. Those detained included Upatissa Gamanayake, Lionel Bopage, and the senior journalist who recently passed away – Victor Ivan (Podi Athula), Loku Athula (N. Jayasinghe), Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, and Mahinda Wijesekara. Today, the fort stands as a testament to the island’s resilience, bearing witness to centuries of transformation.
Efforts are being made to incorporate Fort Hammenhiel into the region’s burgeoning tourism initiatives. Currently managed by the Navy, the fort houses a hotel where visitors can experience the island’s historic charm. Residents have suggested introducing community-led boat services to the fort, which could unlock significant opportunities for tourism and economic development in the area.
Unexpected insights
We went to Kayts expecting people to talk about issues but it was all fake. We expected, through the media and because of the statements made by politicians, that people would talk about things like the military should leave, the land should be returned, the 13th Amendment should be implemented and the need for a provincial council. But not a single person talked about the Provincial Council or the power devolution. Instead, they said that we should live in unity with the Sinhala and Muslim people in this country. Also, that the Government should cooperate with it.
Further, when asked whether the military has seized their lands, they said that there are no such problems in this area but that there are problems in other parts of Jaffna. They said that they expect this Government to provide solutions to that as well. They also said that they are facing many problems in their livelihood, especially concerning South Indian troller boats. Their biggest expectation was that these should be resolved. It became clear to us during this trip that many of the things we see in the media in the South and the politicians representing the North are not the problems of ordinary people.
Our visit to Kayts Island illuminated a disconnect between the narratives propagated by politicians and media in the South and the realities of everyday life for northern communities. While national and provincial issues remain relevant, the ordinary people of Kayts prioritise tangible solutions to their immediate challenges. From the aspirations of a local entrepreneur to the enduring scars of war shared by its elders, the voices of Kayts Island speak of resilience and a deep yearning for peace, stability, and meaningful progress.
