STF vacates Batticaloa MC building complex

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 17:14 GMT]
Special Task Force (STF) handed over Tuesday Batticaloa Muncipal Council (MC) building complex after 18 years of occupation by the Sri Lankan armed forces, to Batticaloa MC Commissioner, M. Uthayakumar. The entrance gate of Batticaloa Magistrate Court and District Secretariat hitherto guarded by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has been opened to public after 18 years, sources in Batticaloa said.

Only government vehicles were permitted into the Secretariat area by the SLA for the last 18 years.

The Rest House near Batticaloa MC and occupied by State armed forces since 1990 has also been handed over to Batticaloa Government Agent (GA).

The office, hall, store and 3 guest houses in the Batticaloa MC building complex have been taken over by the MC Commissioner who will be inspecting the buildings with a view to commence renovation of them.

The building which belongs to Hindu Youths' Association which is occupied by the armed forces is to be handed back to the association in a few days, the sources added.

STF troops had occupied the Batticaloa MC building complex after SLA troops had vacated it.