Struggle of Kepapulavu hereditary Village people for release of their lands reaches its 3rd year mark

In a context where three years have been completed yesterday by the continuous struggle of Kepapulavu hereditary village people for redeeming their lands,  an attention drawing demonstration was held by the people of Kepapulavu yesterday.

This struggle was undertaken in front of the Mulaitheevu Army Head Quarters , established over the lands of the struggling people. They carried placards with slogans such as follows:

We want our own land!

Army  get out of our Lands!

Are we refugees without lands?

We don’t want alternate lands!

International  Community  turn and look at Kepapulavu people!!!

Commenting on their struggle the people said that the Army had robbed and retained their hereditary lands as from 2017. Due to the continuous struggle undertaken by us certain lands were released. However, in a context where, the main areas consisting of Schools, Temples, Play ground, public hall, houses of people and their lands are yet to be released, the Army had constructed its Headquarters and occupied these areas.

The army should vacate 71 acres of lands belonging to 54 families so that we, who are suffering without our lands may find our livelihoods.

Army is enjoying the productions from our lands leaving us to suffer on the roads. The present government and the President should take action to alleviate our distress and make us return to our own lands, they said.

It is notable that police and army intelligence were massed at the site while the attention drawing demonstration was in progress.