Militarisation: Sri Lankan troops turn builders at Poonakari church

by Thusiyan
Feb 5, 2019

Sri Lankan soldiers continued with their militarisation of the North-East last week, with troops from the 661 Brigade carrying out roof repairs at a church in Poonakari.

A group of soldiers stationed in the region carried out the repair work at Pallai Church, having “received the blessings of Major General Ralph Nugera Commander Security Forces – Kilinochchi,” said an official military website.

The latest incursion into civilian life in the Tamil North-East comes as militarisation across the region continues. Tens of thousands of Sri Lankan soldiers are stationed across the Tamil homeland, almost a decade since the end of the armed conflict. The military continues to exert its presence in the region, and into Tamil civilian life, despite calls from locals for demilitarisation.

 

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