Sri Lankan military open 'harmony centre' in Jaffna despite calls for demilitarisation

by Sharmini
May 14, 2020

Jaffna Security Force HQ have opened a "harmony centre" in Kankesanthurai (KKS), despite calls for demilitarisation in the region. 

The centre was reportedly opened to promote "peace, reconciliation, cooperation and the wellbeing of the community in the Jaffna peninsula", according to the official military website. 

This is the latest example of the Sri Lankan military’s intrusion into civilian life, despite more than a decade passing since the end of the armed conflict. TThe Jaffna peninsula has been under military occupation for more than 20 years. Despite that, tens of thousands of Sri Lankan soldiers continued to be stationed across the North-East, where Tamil politicians and civil society organisations have criticised their intrusion into civilian life.

 

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