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Locals protest against Navy land grab in Mullaitivu

The Sri Lankan navy is to appropriate 617 acres of land in Mullaitivu in order to build a navy base, the Northern Provincial Council's deputy speaker said this week.

Despite locals holding land deeds for the area, an announcement stating the land is to be appropriated as the original owners have not been identified, Jeganathan said, appealing to the Chief Minister to act.

"These are rich lands east of the main road in Paranthan, Mullaitivu. In this, 90% of the owners have the appropriate documentation [to prove ownership for the lands]. But ‘Notification [poster]’ has been posted by the Karaithuraipatru regional secretary for public notification and in there it states that owners have not been identified," Jeganathan was quoted by the Uthayan newspaper as saying.

"Although the people have expressed their opposition to the regional sec. He doesn’t seem to take it into consideration," he added.

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