Encroaching settlement in the boarders of Batticaloa District

A direct visit to the border villages of Batticaloa had revealed that encroaching Sinhala settlements and Buddhist Temples   had been built there and much concern had been expressed regarding this. A group led by the Government Agent P.S.M.Charlesand the Minister of Agriculture of the Eastern Province, K.Thurairasasingam went to Batticaloa border villages of Mathavanai and Mylathamadu  on a fact finding mission about the encroaching settlements and Buddhist Temples built there.

On this visit,  it could be seen that not only encroaching Sinhala Settlements but also Buddhist temples are being built in Mathavanai which is a grazing ground and Mylathamadu which come under Batticaloa ,Chenkalady Divisional Secretary and Kiran Divisional Secretary’s areas respectively. The Sinhala people who have settled there are saying that they, about 300 families are engaged in cultivation for the last 3 years and the Chief priest of Mangalaramaya Vihare in Batticaloa is providing the assistance to them.

Apart from this, priest in charge of the vihare which is being built in this area said that they are residing in this area from 1967, they were displaced by war and they have returned and settled here now. The Minister of Agriculture had told them that there are no legal documents to show that Sinhalese people ever lived in this area, and that there settlement is illegal and a meeting will be convened on the 19th to discuss this matter and reach at a decision.

The Government Agent P.S.M.Charles, , The Minister of Agriculture , K.Thurairajasingam, the Divisional Secretaries, and Grama Officers said that they will be taking action to stop this encroaching settlement.