SL Court to hear mother's challenge on military seizure of land

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 December 2014, 23:01 GMT]
The occupying Sri Lanka Army (SLA) that had moved into the lands of an old mother, Mrs Maheswary Thambirasa at Mirusuvil in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna, had relocated the notorious 52-2 Division Headquarters of the SLA, which was earlier situated in Vara'ni into the new locality situated along the A9 road. SL presidential sibling and SL Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opened declared the 52 Division HQ on January 08. Later, the SL military wanted to encroach further lands and the mother was protesting against the illegal seizure. Now, the case has been accepted for hearing at the Court of Appeal in Colombo, news sources in Jaffna said.

The SL military has been arguing that the SL State had taken over the lands for ‘public purpose’.

The lawyers representing Mrs Maheswary have chosen to challenge the ‘public purpose’ clause.

The mother was fighting against the seizure by blocking the officials who came to survey the lands in July 2014.

SL Defence Secretary, SLA commander and the commander of the 52 Division and SL Minister of Lands are among the respondents in the case, which is to be taken for investigation on February 10.

In the meantime, the mother has gone underground, fearing harassment by the SL military.

Chronology: