Residents in Batticaloa held a protest yesterday against the acquisition of Tamil land for ilmenite mining.
Protesters, which also included students, local activists and the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) expressed concern over the impact on local agriculture and Tamil fishing communities.
State authorities are acquiring 42 acres from Kathiraveli and 17 acres from Puchchakeni, in the Koralaipattu North Division, in order to build a factory.
A further 48 km2 area of land by the beach side of Batticaloa is being planned for acquisition.
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