PARL Reminds President Sirisena Of His Own Promise To Release North & East Lands: Urges Him To Expedite Release Of Keppapulavu
The People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL) sent another letter to President Maithripala Sirisena reminding the President of his promise to release all occupied lands in the North and East provinces for civilians.
In the new letter, the organization specifically referred to the village of Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu, where acres of lands remain occupied by the Army. Some parts of the village, however, were released in December 2017.
The organization said, “This includes, residential lands located in close proximity to their livelihood of fishing in the nearby lagoon, agricultural lands, and a village school, church, Hindu temple and cemetery. The villagers have been engaged in a day and night continuous peaceful protest outside the entrance to the Army camp, for more than 22 months – demanding the release of their lands.”
“As the Tamil community dawns the new year with Thai Pongal celebrations today, we know that many displaced in the North and East, are yet not able to celebrate in their homes. So, following up from our letter to the President (cc. Prime Minister and leaders of all main political parties), on the 27th of December, 2018, we reiterated our call once more to release all occupied lands in the North and East, as per his promise in October last year,” it also added.
The full letter written to the President is as follows:
15th January, 2019
Dear President,
On the 4th of October 2018, the Presidential Media Division reported that “President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the authorities to complete the process of releasing the lands in the North and East Provinces to their original owners, before the 31st of December, after resolving all the issues,” at a meeting with the Presidential Task Force to monitor development projects conducted in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Displaced persons from the north and east, and other concerned persons and organizations, wrote a letter to you on 27th December 2018, appealing to you to honour your promise.
But, to date, there was has been no response to our letter, and large tracts of lands remain inaccessible to their residents, who remain displaced, many for over a decade.
Therefore, we are once again writing to you to keep your promise to complete the process of releasing lands in the North and East, – and in this case, we are referring specifically to the village of Keppapulavu in the Mullaitivu district. In December 2017, some parts of the village was released, but acres of lands remain occupied by the Army. This includes, residential lands located in close proximity to their livelihood of fishing in the nearby lagoon, agricultural lands, and a village school, church, Hindu temple and cemetery.
The villages have been engaged in a day and night continuous peaceful protest outside the entrance to the Army camp, for more than 22 months – demanding the release of their lands. They have also been holding multiple discussions with officials and politicians.
In the past, a village leader had threatened to engage in a fast unto death till their lands were released. We are concerned that they may resort to drastic action, if the promise you made, is not kept, and all lands not released.
