The Jaffna Fort should not be handed over to the Sri Lankan army, and all currently occupying troops of the area should be removed, the District Coordinating Committee for Jaffna said last week.
The decisions were made at a meeting convened by the chairs for the committee, Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah, and UNP MP Vijayakala Maheswaran.
NPC council member M. K. Sivajilingam heavily criticised the Archaeology Department for continuing to allow the Army to occupy and use as an active base such a place of historical and archaeological importance.
Pointing out that the Department threw up many obstacles to the renovation of the nearby Duraiyappah stadium, Mr Sivajilingam questioned why the same policies weren’t being enforced on the army occupation of the fort.