Sri Lankan military constructed vihara remains on released Jaffna land

06 May 2016

Sri Lanka’s armed forces continue to pray at a Buddhist vihara which was constructed on occupied land in Jaffna, lamented Tamil villagers amidst fears that the structure would become permanent. The Sri Lankan military had built a Buddhist vihara on the land in Valikamam North, which until recently was occupied by the army. After the release of 5.2 acres of the land back to Tamil civilians though, the Sri Lankan military regularly encroaches the area, in order to access a military constructed Buddhist vihara. The military’s continued checkpoints along the main road at Keerimalai – Naguleswaram also mean that access to a public crematorium has been compromised. A navy base, which was initially promised to be dismantled, has also simply been pushed back a further 500 metres, said residents.