Two days after ‘release’, Sri Lankan Army blocks access to lands in Vali North

Barriers erected by the Army

The Sri Lankan Army has re-seized some lands in Valikamam North that were released to their owners earlier this month.

Just two days after releasing around 683 acres from the 28-year occupation of the ’high security zone’, Sri Lankan soldiers blocked off access and reoccupied lands in Thaiyiddi South - Unthuvathai, and the area surrounding the Vellaivaikkal Vairavar temple.

Part of the land that has been seized again includes a suspected arsenal which was discovered in the released area of Thaiyiddi. (above)

The Tamil landowners had expressed concern about the continued presence of army checkpoints and guard posts around the released lands, and questioned the permanence and conditionality of the release.

Sign in Sinhalese

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