Sri Lankan military involvement in civilian life across the Tamil homeland has continued this week, with the armed forces continuing to entrench themselves in events across the North-East.
Pottuvil, Amparai: Military embedded in civilian and ecological spaces
On 26 April 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy partnered with the Rotaract Informatics Institute of Technology to plant 1,000 mangrove plants at Urani Lagoon, Pottuvil. Publicised under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, this event was presented as a conservation effort to protect coastal communities and address climate change.
However, such 'humanitarian' activities represent a calculated attempt to entrench military presence in ecologically sensitive and civilian areas of the Tamil homeland.
Karainagar, Jaffna
A few days later, on 29 April 2025, SLNS Elara base in Karainagar, Jaffna, organised a volleyball tournament in Welappedi, claiming it would foster unity between residents of Eluvaitivu, Analathivu, and Nainathivu and Navy personnel.
This same navy base came under scrutiny in March 2024 when CCTV footage captured naval personnel allegedly standing by as a Tamil couple was abducted near the facility. The husband was later found murdered, raising serious concerns about the navy’s complicity in human rights violations.
Jaffna
On 1 May 2025, a ceremony was held at the Jaffna District Secretariat where 40.70 acres of occupied land were ceremonially returned to Tamil civilians.
Sri Lankan Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo oversaw the event, with participation from Jaffna District Secretary M. Pratheepan and other military officials. Though touted as a measure of transparency and accountability, this gesture remains symbolic at best. As of February 2025, Pratheepan confirmed that the military continues to occupy over 2,500 acres of civilian land in Jaffna District alone.
Mullaitivu: Sinhala-Buddhist expansionism
On 19 April 2025, the 59 Infantry Division of the Sri Lankan Army, notorious for its role in the 2009 genocide, hosted a Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival at the Mullaitivu Pradeshiya Sabhai.
Major General D.R.N. Hettiarachchi and the Vanni Security Forces Commander attended the event as Chief Guests. This is part of a growing trend of military-organised cultural programmes aimed at co-opting Tamil cultural spaces and further entrenching military influence.
The 59 Division has been accused by international human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, of indiscriminate shelling and attacks on hospitals during the final stages of the 2009 genocide.
Mannar
On 20 April 2025, the North Central Naval Command held its New Year celebration at the Roman Catholic Vidyalayam in Talaimannar—unlike other New Year events that took place within Sri Lankan military bases.
From 15 to 27 April, festivals were conducted at SLNS Mahanaga, SLNS Barana, SLN Dockyard, SLNS Deegayu, SLNS Uttara, SLNS Nipuna, and SLNS Gemunu, drawing military families and civilians into highly militarised settings.
Kilinochchi
Also on 19 April, the 55 Infantry Division hosted a similar festival at Kilinochchi Central College. The participation of Major General Y.A.B.M. Yahampath underscores the state’s use of Tamil cultural events as platforms for military propaganda and psychological dominance over a traumatised population.
Amparai: Militarisation of Tamil schools continues
Between 20 and 28 April 2025, the Sri Lankan Southeastern Naval Command conducted school renovations at Al Hussain School and R.M.K Girls’ School in Karaitivu, and MHM Ashraff Vidyalayam in Sainthamaruthu.
These activities were carried out under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, revealing yet another front in the militarisation of civilian life. By embedding themselves within educational institutions, the military extends its surveillance and ideological reach over Tamil youth.
Eravur, Batticaloa
On 21 April 2025, the 12th Battalion of the Sri Lanka National Guard distributed school supplies at BT/KK/Periyavaddavan Kannaki Vidyalayam Primary School in Eravur Pattru.
A new water supply system was also inaugurated in the presence of the 232 Infantry Brigade Commander and local officials. Funded by a private contractor, the event was dressed as a welfare initiative.
Sri Lankan military's influence continued even at primary school level as on the same day, the 221 Infantry Brigade held a similar event at Trincomalee Siddhartha Primary School., overseen by Major General P.R. Pathiravithana.
Trincomalee: Militarised healthcare
On 29 April 2025, the Sri Lanka Navy organised a health screening programme in partnership with the Lions Club and healthcare workers from the Command Naval Hospital in the Eastern Naval Area.
Held at the Trincomalee Urban Council premises, the initiative included screenings for chronic disease risk factors. Such interventions serve to expand military influence under the guise of public health, undermining local civilian authorities.
