The latest figures from Sri Lanka’s census department reveal that unemployment has almost doubled over the past two years across the Jaffna district, as Tamils across the North-East continue to struggle with their livelihoods.
Unemployment in Jaffna in 2015 was 5.7 percent, but has steadily risen to 7 percent in 2016 and now to 10.7 percent.
Meanwhile, unemployment in Mullaitivu has also risen from 3.7 percent in 2016 to 4.8 percent in 2017.
In Mannar and Vavuniya and Kilonochi unemployment has started to move down, reports Economy Next.
The rise in the latest figures comes amidst criticism of the increasing militarisation in the region, where the Sri Lankan armed forces continues to play a massive role in civilian life. Though the Sri Lankan government pledged to demilitarise the region, the military continues to run barber shops, restaurants, tourist resorts and even schools. The military also continues to occupy vast regions of land across the North-East, which continues to leave Tamils displaced.