Sri Lankan military fells palmyrah trees despite assurances of land release

Even as assurances were given to civil authorities that civilian agricultural lands in Jaffna’s High Security Zone would be released, Sri Lankan military personnel have moved to fell palmyrah trees on privately owned land surrounding Jaffna International Airport, in preparation for military-run agricultural activity.

The destruction took place this week on lands west of the airport, which remain under military control despite repeated commitments to return them to their rightful Tamil owners. The move has sparked outrage among local representatives, who say the actions directly contradict statements made by senior security officials to the Northern Province Governor and the Jaffna District Secretary earlier the same day.

Speaking on the issue, Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S. Sugirthan said that all 15 Grama Niladhari divisions under the Valikamam North Divisional Secretariat must be fully released. He noted that while a portion of the Mayiliddy North Grama Niladhari division has been returned, large sections remain occupied by the military, which is now actively cultivating the land.

Sugirthan said a significant number of palmyrah trees were destroyed as the military prepared the land for cultivation, stressing that palmyrah is a protected resource central to the livelihood and cultural life of the Tamil people. He pointed out that civilians are fined if they cut palmyrah trees on their own land without permission, and demanded that the Palmyrah Development Board take immediate action against the military for large-scale destruction.

He further called on the Jaffna District Secretary and the Tellippalai Divisional Secretary to intervene and halt the destruction, warning that continued inaction would amount to complicity in the erosion of civilian land rights.

Referring to the political context, Sugirthan recalled that some in Jaffna had voted for the National People’s Power (NPP) in the belief that a change in governance would lead to the release of occupied lands, a sentiment that helped return three Members of Parliament from the party in Jaffna. He said that when Sri Lanka’s president visited Jaffna for Thai Pongal celebrations, many Tamils had hoped concrete steps would be taken to release land and reopen roads, but alleged that the Anura Kumara Dissanayake instead left without acting, undermining public trust.

Sugirthan also referred to a case currently before the High Court seeking the release of civilian lands. At a hearing held on the 29th, Sri Lankan military representatives told the court that steps were being taken to release land and that maps identifying areas for handover were being prepared. Despite this, he said, the military is now destroying palmyrah trees on the very lands it claims are due for release.

He urged the District Secretary, the Chairman of the Palmyrah Development Board and the Northern Province Governor to take immediate steps to protect palmyrah resources and prevent further damage to civilian property.

The controversy comes even as Major General K. R. P. D. Silva, who recently assumed duties as Security Forces Commander of Jaffna, reportedly assured both the Northern Province Governor and the Jaffna District Secretary that action would be taken to release civilian agricultural lands.