Army will not release 11 villages – 117 families rejects forms for compensation

The Defence Ministry had announced that the 11 GS Divisions occupied by the Army in Vali North will not be released. It was also announced that these lands are not being released for National Security reasons and appropriate compensation will be made to the owners.

Action was taken by the District Secretariat to deliver a letter informing this to 171 families in the welfare centre, who have lands in these 11 villages. But the said families have expressed strong opposition to this move and had refused to receive the letters.

In a context where the Secretary General of the UN, Ban-kee- Moon is to visit Sri Lanka, instructions were given to Government officials of the North to close down welfare centres of the IDPs completely.

Accordingly landless people in the centrs had been issued with pledge letters to the effect that lands will be provided to them, as a first stage. As the second stage those who have lands within 460 acre to be released soon were given letters that their lands will be released. Balance 171 families were to be given letters that their lands will not released and appropriate compensations will be paid, which the people had rejected.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of TNA, Mawai Senathyrajah had requested the people not to sign in any compensations forms as he is to discuss this matter with the Prime Minister, Ranil.