The Sri Lankan government acknowledged the planned acquisition of 671 acres of land in Mullaitivu is in order the establish a central navy base.
In response to a Right To Information request made by the editor of Vikalpa, Sampath Samarakoon, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms, Mr Dayaratne stated the land grab was in order to “establish the Mullaitivu main camp of the Sri Lanka navy”.
In August last year, the government minister, Gayantha Karunatilake announced 671 acres in Vadduvakal and Vellamullivaikkal, Mullaitivu District would be acquired for “a public purpose”.
The planned naval complex is to be sited in one of the most militarised districts of the Tamil homeland. A report by PEARL and the Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research last year, found there was one soldier for every two civilians in Mullaitivu district.
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