Army is blocking the release of lands

BY Mirudhula Thambiah-

2016-06-28

Jaffna District Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian and the Leader of People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam, Dharmalingam Sithadthan commenting on the land issues in the Northern Province told Ceylon Today, "We have a feeling that the Army is reluctant to release the lands and the Government doesn't want to control the Army at this stage. However this cannot go on forever. It has to be solved,"

Following are excerpts of the interview:

? Why did the TNA form an eight member team in the current scenario? What are the priorities of this team in negotiating with the Government on current issues?

A:This team will not just negotiate with the Government, the main aim of this team is to discuss the policy within the TNA in relevance to the current issue and then shall proceed further.We shall meet with the Government representatives especially with the President and the Prime Minister to discuss current issues relating to the Constitution and day to day matters in the North and East, especially on missing persons, release of political prisoners, land matters and other issues.Until now there was no such official meeting between the TNA and the leadership of the Government. Therefore, we as the TNA must discuss and identify the problems especially on the issues regarding the Constitution and the day to day matters. We feel that lots of things are yet to be completed. The promises are being honoured very slowly. Thus we decided that we must hold a meeting with Government representatives. We feel even within the TNA there is no proper discussion as such. The executive committee of the TNA is only meeting once in a while. Matters are being planned by Leader Sampanthan and Sumanthiran, and sometimes we are not informed, that is also a reason. All will be equal in this committee; however, as usual Sampanthan will be our leader. There is no question about it. However we want everyone in this team to contribute and decide together.

? As you know Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reforms in their report stated that most of those from the North and East had demanded for a federal solution. But others from the rest of the country are not in a position to accept it. Why do you think they are against it?

A: Tamils in the North and East are urging to go for a federal set up. However people in the South, mainly the Sinhalese, they think federal is separation. They are unaware of the real meaning of federalism. I think it is the duty of the Government and even the Tamil parties to explain it to the Sinhala community and tell them the actual meaning of federalism. In 1994 when the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike tried to bring a solution, people like Minister Mangala Samaraweera , Dilan Perera and Dallas Alahapperuma formed the Sudu Neluma Movement and went around educating the people of the need for a political solution. A meaningful solution as far as we are concerned can only be a federal solution, because a unitary system cannot give a meaningful solution. The Government can control and interfere in matters that should be dealt at provincial level. Thus we are demanding for a federal solution. I also feel some of these politicians are getting hold of federalism as their own political tool by just blaming the Sinhala people.

? You being one of the constituent parities of the TNA, what is your observation on the 32nd Geneva UNHCR Sessions?

A: The Government by co-sponsoring the resolution they themselves committed to certain things. They agreed to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, releasing the political prisoners and many other issues, over all these they agreed for a political solution. The progress on those promises is very minimal. Therefore, the UNHCR Commissioner must certainly inform the Government that these things must improve. The Government must go forward towards the implementation of the resolution.

? The Government released lands in the Northern Province as they promised. But currently, certain lands are released, yet people are unable to enter the lands. This situation prevails especially in Valikamam North High Security Zone. How do you view this situation?

A: I have also seen that in certain areas lands are not released. People are not allowed to enter, even if they are owners. This problem continues to prevail; this makes us feel that there is a contradiction between the Government and the Army, who have actually occupied those areas. It cannot happen anymore. Therefore they can ease this situation and I believe it is the duty of the Government and not the Army. The Government must examine whether the lands are released properly. The President himself, in Jaffna, had promised the TNA many times the lands can be released.

I really don't understand why the military doesn't want to release the lands even in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. Also there are no military camps in these lands as such. My personal view is, maybe they are trying their best to keep those lands for future colonization to deny the right of the Tamil people to stay in those areas. Vast acres of lands are still occupied as High Security Zones. Still the Army decides for the Government. I don't understand this situation. Lands must be certainly released to the people. There are lands which are either permit lands or deed lands; which the owners of the lands must be able to access.

? How far do you think the Government had succeeded in addressing the humanitarian issues in the North and East?

A: Very little progress. There is peace among people after this Government came into power. There was a fear psychosis during the previous regime; however it does not exist anymore. Previously we were able to identify intelligence officers in the North and there was a fear psychosis among people. Now it does not happen and it is a relief for the people.

We must say that the Government is looking in the right direction. Even though they have achieved little, at least they are looking at the right direction. Although their progress is slow and people are unhappy, there is something being carried out by them. Therefore the Government must expedite their promises as early as possible, as the people are losing patience and they tend to believe that this Government is also not doing anything. Even today (yesterday) the people of Valikamam North are marching to their own lands demanding their release. I don't understand the scenario, is the Army blocking the Government or is it the other way around. We have a feeling that the Army is reluctant to release the lands and the Government doesn't want to control the Army at this stage. However this cannot go on forever. It has to be solved.

? Recently the Northern Provincial Council had passed a resolution to withdraw the preschool conducted by the Army, especially in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Districts. How do you view?

A: Do you know these teachers in such preschools are paid well? Some people are employed we must agree. I personally don't want to see people unemployed. Yet I shall point out that this practice is quite bad. The Army cannot run preschools, it is a civilian matter, in principle it is wrong. Army cannot run preschools, it has to be a civilian matter and disciplined. The preschools must be run by the provincial council. This is why the resolution was passed at the provincial council, and such preschools must be stopped. We are unsure as to what is being taught in those preschools.

? You have been continuously emphasizing on the economic centre in the North, and that Prime Minister and President must interfere to solve the matter. What exactly is the situation?

A: It was proposed to be built in Vavuniya. Yet there were many conflicts regarding the venue. Especially Minister Rishad Bathiudeen wants to build the economic centre in town on Kandy Road next to the Vavuniya Hospital. They even proposed to have it in the Vavuniya Municipal area and it cannot be maintained, as there is only five acres of land. When we start something new we must consider the future development. If we build the economic centre out of the town area it easy to occupy 20-30 acres for the centre and make use of the land for future developments as well. When we build an economic centre we must consider parking facilities and waste disposal mechanisms. Many aspects have to be considered.
They want to dismantle the agriculture centre in Thandikulam where there are valuable plants, which are more than 15 years of age. This is a place where agrarian development research, for the entire province, is done.

However the Northern Province Chief Minister had selected five areas, and suggested to build the Northern Economic Centre in one of those places.

Currently I'm able to view that there are interested parties on both sides, in the TNA as well as the Government, they are trying to disturb this attempt. Also the Government representatives try to take the Northern Economic Centre towards the town area. Minister of Rural Economic Affairs P. Harrison suggests building it in Medawachchiya. Therefore the interested parties are trying to make it a big issue. They are simply trying to take it out of the North.

? For a long time there had been demand to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), but there seems to be no progress on amending it. What do you think can be done?

A: This is why we are unhappy on the Government's progress on the humanitarian issues. It is known to everyone that it is mentioned in the UN report itself as a recommendation to repeal the PTA and the Government is committed to it. By co-sponsoring to the resolution, they have committed to it. Yet the progress is very slow. We understand recently there was a draft and was not happy with it, and then they were on the process of drafting another amendment. I don't think they really want to repeal it but just bring it in another form.

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