Former Iraqi ruler has helped poor villagers in Sri Lanka's east after a cyclone

Residents of Sadam Hussein village in Eravur, Batticaloa strongly protest the killing of the former Iraqi President.

Condemning the hanging on a day that Islam devotees celebrated Hajj festival, they said it was a disgrace to the whole Muslim world.

Devastating cyclone

The former dictator has provided financial assistance to rebuild the village after a devastating cyclone that destroyed many properties the east on 21 November 1978.

"He was the one who helped us when we didn't have even a cent to buy cajan let alone any shelter," Seeni Mohamadu Sivalathumma, 51, told journalist Shanthi Selvadorai who visited the village.

Hajara Mohamed Abdul Cados said she couldn't watch the footage of the former President taken to the gallows to be hanged.

Double standard

"He was not a normal human being but a god. I felt as if I lost my breath".

Villagers and the religious leaders condemned the "double standards" of the world leaders who supported the death sentence.

Moulavi UL Navas questioned as to what punishment the western leaders, who have killed tens of thousands in Iraq, would get if Sadam, who killed 148 sentenced to death.

"We would like to ask the International Court as to what step they are taking against George Bush who killed thousands".

The punishment was a threat against the whole Muslim community in the world, villagers said.