Officials from Sri Lanka's Forest Department arrived in Talaimannar West earlier today in order to carry out a survey of the forest land in the area, where they were blocked by opposition from locals.
The public who gathered on the streets expressed their vehement opposition to the land-survey by the Department going ahead and demanded that the officers leave.
Following this demonstration of disapproval by the people, the Department officials, Bishop Marcus of Talaimannar and the public had a serious argument regarding the matter.
Bishop Marcus later informed the press that the Forest Department left the scene after the conversation he had with them and did not pursue their land-surveying activity any further.
Tamil civil society and politicians from across the political spectrum have slammed Sri Lanka’s attempts at acquiring land across the North-East as a move to alter the demography of the Tamil homeland.
