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Villagers in Mullativu held a protest on Monday, demanding the return of their lands which have been occupied by the Sri Lankan authorities under the controversial Mahaweli Development project.
Villagers from Kokkulai, Kokkuthoduvai and Karunattukerni gathered in front of the Mullaitivu district secretariat demanding an end to the project, which has seen Sinhala settlers move to the Tamil North-East, in large scale colonisation projects.
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The project, which began under the UNP government of 1977, was one of many state-sponsored colonisation projects that took place in the Tamil North-East.
In October, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena stated that he backed the project, which was also continued by his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa, and that he hoped to complete other similar projects during his tenure.
See our earlier posts:
Sri Lankan president pays tribute to UNP minister (25 Oct 2015)
Rajapaksa hands over 3000 land deeds to Mahaweli farmers (22 Apr 2013)