Kilinochchi controversy: TNA denies forcible entry, demands troops vacate public property

By Shamindra Ferdinando-April 26, 2016

Strongly denying accusations regarding Opposition and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan, MP and a group, forcibly entering an army camp at Kilinochchi on April 16, TNA spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran yesterday called for an urgent review of public property still occupied by the military.

Jaffna District MP Sumanthiran insisted that Trincomalee District leader Sampanthan had gone there to inspect a cluster of houses occupied by the military for over six years after the conclusion of the conflict.

The Army captured Kilinochchi on January 1, 2009 following a four month battle.

Attorney-at-law Sumanthiran told The Island that the TNA leader accompanied by owners of some of those houses occupied by the military had visited the area situated east of the Kandy-Jaffna A9 road. Sumanthiran quoted Sampanthan as having said that sentry opened the barrier. Therefore, there was absolutely no basis for claims that Sampanthan stormed an army base at Kilinochchi.

Responding to a query, MP Sampanthan said that he had been among four members of parliament, including Sampanthan who met those having grievances. People complained about disappearances, continuing detention of their loved ones as well as the army refusing to vacate public property.

Those who had been trying to exploit MP Sampanthan’s intervention to tarnish the image of the TNA leader as well as the grouping were silent on the suffering of those still denied their own property.

MP Sumanthiran said that a proper inquiry would reveal the failure on the part of the military to give up land occupied during the conflict. The MP insisted that there couldn’t be any justification whatsoever to occupy Kilinochchi houses nearly seven years after the conclusion of the war.

The TNA spokesman said those who had been demanding action against MP Sampanthan should verify facts. The MP urged the army to vacate Kilinochchi houses without further delay. The attorney-at-law said that the TNA welcomed an inquiry as it would help establish the ownership of the houses.

The TNA couldn’t keep quiet over contentious issue of the military occupying public property.

The reportage by a section of the media was meant to cause a rift between communities, the MP said.

Senior military officials told The Island that since late 2010, troops had vacated substantial part of land captured during operations. Unfortunately, the TNA had conveniently failed at least to acknowledge gradual release of army-held land and property in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

MP Sumanthiran said the people wanted their property back. It would be the responsibility of the government and the military to ensure facilitate early release of public property.