SLA, SLN take over lands of Muslims in Trincomalee district

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 October 2010, 09:45 GMT]
Several acres of land belonging to members of Muslim community located in villages of Pulmoaddai, I’raakka’ndi, Nilaave’li and Pudaivaikkaddu in the north of the Trincomalee district are still under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). In Moothoor area several acres of lands belonging to Muslim farmers are still in the custody of the SLN. Hence farmers and fishermen of this community are not allowed to engage in their livelihood activities which have come to a standstill even after the war is over, R. M. Anwer, a councilor of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), said.

Councilor Anwer has given notice to move a motion related to this issue in the meeting of the EPC, requesting the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to release the lands to the owners.

In his motion he has cited an instance where agricultural lands of Muslim farmers in Pulmoaddai village were used by the security forces to set up detention centers to keep thousands of uprooted Tamils from Mullaiththeevu.

Though the detention centers are not in existence now the lands are still in the custody of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy without being released to the lawful owners.

Hence the livelihood activities of the residents of the village have been badly affected.

Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries should immediately intervene and make arrangement to return these lands to the owners, the motion further states.