Tamils in Mullaitivu step up protest for land and take to the streets

07 December 2020

Tamil residents in a Mullaitivu village in have stepped up their protests demanding the release of land for them to live in, by taking to the streets this week.

More than 50 families are living without land to live on in Venavil village, which is located under the Puthukkudiyiruppu Divisional Secretariat of the Mullaitivu District.

Around 16 of these families, left without the means to continue living on their relatives' lands, have set up individual huts on the roadside in protest, demanding to be given land to reside on. These families, who have come to the streets with small children, are facing various hardships.

The locals initiated the protest following failed requests for land to several persons including the Divisional Secretary of the Puthukkudiyiruppu Divisional Land Branch.

Land across the Mullaitivu district has been seized by various state institutions, which has left many families desolate. The Mullaitivu district remains highly militarised with one of the largest numbers of Sri Lankan troop deployment in the region.

Despite years of protests by Tamils in the region, many remain without land.

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After the protest started this week, Sri Lankan police who arrived at the scene reportedly instructed the families to leave, stating that they could not continue their demonstration due to COVID-19. The police further stated that they would take the families to the Divisional Secretariat on December 13th, and consult with the Divisional secretary in order to obtain a solution.

The concerned locals however, are pursuing their protest, in demand for a visit and reassurance from the Divisional Secretary.