TNA MP Nirmalanthan has opposed plans by the Sri Lanka Intelligence Service to build an office in Vavuniya.

It has come to light during the Vavuniya district coordination committee meeting that the Sri Lanka Intelligence Services (SIS) has sought land to establish an office along the parkway in Vavuniya, which the governor recommended. 

 Co-Chairman of the Coordinating Committee Hon. Thileepan and ITAK MP Charles Nirmalanathan staunchly opposed the move adding the work of the agency can be carried out without the need for an office.

“The Intelligence Unit can operate from anywhere, their work is secretive in nature and as such it is not befitting to provide them this land within the city limits,” he said. “At the same time, allowing them to establish a presence in the city can have consequences on people living in the area and those going about their day-to-day life.” Several local organisations, civil societies, and community members participated in this meeting. They also discussed the needs of the community and the annual harvest. 

The Tamil Guardian has been reporting on increasing incidents of land grabs by the defence and the state. It came to light recently that the government through the regional administrative officers was trying to secure land in Valikamam North in Jaffna, amounting to 500 acres for the extension of the runway at Palali Airport. In another incident recently, where the villagers of Isaimalaithalvu in Mannar staged a protest demanding the Nanattan Divisional Secretariat hand over 46 acres of land presently held by the Sri Lankan Forest Department.

The protestors demanded that the 46 acres be handed to the 113 families in the Isaimalaithalvu village within that division. They also said that people from other neighbouring villagers are trespassing and illegally occupying several acres of this area, to which they demanded that authorities take necessary action. The villagers said that since they do not have a permanent place they are facing several inconveniences, with more than two families living under one roof due to this situation. 

The military presence across the North-East has led to many Tamil civilians being displaced from their land. The number of military land grabs of Tamil lands, the rection of Buddhist viharas in places of Hindu temples and the military-owned businesses operating across the Tamil homeland have substantially increased since the election of the war crimes accused President. As a result, Tamil people’s livelihoods have been largely impaired.