The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, on today’s Adjournment Motion brought by Hon. Srineshan regarding issuing deeds for alternative lands given for the expansion of Batticaloa Airport, I wish to raise a few matters concerning our district.

¶ 02 Around August 1985, for the expansion of the Vavuniya Airport and the SLAF Headquarters there, civilian lands were acquired in three stages. In the third stage, 231.67 acres were appropriated. These lands lie along the A9 corridor critical for the expansion of Vavuniya town. I request that they be released.

¶ 03 Further, in Eechankulam, Vavuniya, lands of the public where a Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam stood have been taken over and a camp established. I request that those lands also be released.

¶ 04 Next, in Kanakarayankulam, 3 acres were officially released by the Government for establishing the 561 Brigade Army Camp. Beyond that, the military has taken 9 acres of private land and 5 acres of the Kanakarayankulam cremation ground — a total of 14 acres. These also must be released. I urge the Government to take necessary action to release all three.