Jaffna, Sri Lanka – Landowners from Valikamam North held their 14th consecutive weekly protest on Friday (24 July), calling for the release of lands that remain under military control within the area’s High-Security Zone.
The protest took place in front of the Army’s “Commando” bungalow, where demonstrators urged the government to return their lands, which they say have been inaccessible for more than three decades.
The affected lands are located in Grama Niladhari divisions 256, 248, 251 and 255. Residents were displaced from these areas in June 1990 after the region was designated a High-Security Zone during the armed conflict.
Protesters pointed out that although 17 years have passed since the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the security forces continue to occupy parts of the area, preventing many displaced families from returning to their homes.
They said that years of appeals and demonstrations have not resulted in the release of their properties. In response, the landowners launched a campaign of weekly Friday protests, with this week’s demonstration marking the 14th consecutive protest.
The protesters renewed their appeal to the authorities to release the remaining privately owned lands and facilitate the resettlement of displaced families.
