The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you. I second the motion moved by my colleague Hon. Srineshan. This is a very important matter.

¶ 02 Connected to this is the presence of the Pudur Sri Siththi Vinayagar Temple in the affected area. I recently visited the temple. Even the land area belonging to the temple — including the processional street — still remains under the control of the Air Force.

¶ 03 Though the area was once divided into A, B, and C security zones, later a small portion within the 6th zone was released. In today’s environment without war, I believe that maintaining only an A zone would suffice. Therefore, if the B and C zones are fully released, the temple lands will be returned and we can also consider allowing the public to use the road. Because that road is unusable now, people have to take long detours, as Hon. Srineshan highlighted.

¶ 04 When I raised this with the Air Force Commander, he said the gate at that boundary had been shifted, and any release would require an order from the Ministry of Defence. He also understood to some extent that this is essential. Releasing lands under Air Force control is very important.

¶ 05 Since Defence Ministry and Lands Ministry officials are here today, I wish to raise similar issues in Batticaloa District. In Muraikkottanchchenai during the war era, a public market was under military control. Even today, a school in Palaiyadivattai remains under military control. In Kayankerni, an Army camp remains. Likewise, our Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam at Thaandiyadi is under the control of the STF, and a school remains under control at Gurukulam as well. The Government must take an interest in releasing lands under military control.

¶ 06 We raised this in the Defence Ministry Consultative Committee in the presence of the Hon. President, who is also Chair of the District Development Committee in this House. We asked that lands under military control be released expeditiously.

¶ 07 Even if you do not release all lands under military control in Batticaloa, why is there no action to at least return to the people the thousands of acres of State land within the boundaries that were encroached and are being held by Pillaiyaan in Paddumanodai? In the past, we requested the Municipal Council to release State lands; the Hon. Minister ordered it, yet nothing has happened. At that time, the Divisional Secretary said they would regularize — in other words, make legal what was unlawfully grabbed by cutting forest. We strongly objected.

¶ 08 I urge your party to show consideration to the Batticaloa District. Our people are in great hardship. You held a meeting last December; April is approaching and, after four months, decisions remain unimplemented, causing further difficulties. Therefore, release the people’s lands and resolve this matter promptly. I welcome bringing this Adjournment Motion today for that purpose. Thank you.