Female headed households in Jaffna faced added insecurity to their livelihoods due to the pervasive Sri Lankan military presence in the North-East, said Jaffna residents at a Sri Lankan government consultation on the mechanisms for accountability, truth, reparations and non-recurrence earlier this month.
Women who head households, due to the large number of men who have been abducted or killed, in the Vadamaradchi East also made representations during the meeting, stating that the overwhelming military presence creates an atmosphere of fear across the region.
Residents told the consultation that the large number of Sri Lankan navy and army personnel needed to leave the Tamil North-East, alongside corrupt police officers who push for bribes from villagers.
Only then can normal life resume and the safety of the people be ensured, they added.
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