Mullaitivu, July 30 – The ongoing protest by residents of Keppapilavu in the Karaithuraipattu Divisional Secretariat Division of Mullaitivu, demanding the release of their ancestral lands under military occupation, entered the 37th day of its second phase on Wednesday.
According to the protesters, 59.5 acres of residential land belonging to 55 families and 100 acres of agricultural land owned by four other families remain under military control.
The affected landowners have been holding a continuous peaceful demonstration, urging the government to release their lands and allow them to return to their ancestral homes.
Despite the protest continuing for more than a month, the demonstrators said no permanent solution has been reached with the authorities.
Speaking to the media, the protesters said the Deputy Minister of Defence had assured them that he would visit Keppapilavu to discuss their concerns and respond to their demands.
“We are waiting for his visit and hope he will take meaningful steps to facilitate the release of our lands. We thank him for responding to our peaceful protest,” the landowners said.
The protesters reiterated that the immediate release of their lands and the restoration of their right to resettle remain their primary demands.
