Jubilant Keppapilavu residents return to their lands

Mullaitivu District Secretary Rupavathi Kethiswaran said yesterday (01) that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) had released 42 acres of land in Keppapilavu occupied by them. The land belongs to 52 families. 

As the DS read out the names of families whose lands had been released, residents reacted with joy and ran cheering onto their lands when they were let in through the gates by SLAF personnel. Many were also seen praying. 

The lands were released on a directive given by President Maithripala Sirisena on February 27 to the SLAF Commander. 

The release brought to an end a month long Sathyagraha undertaken by Keppapilavu residents demanding the release of their lands from the military.

However, the DS told journalists that several other families are planning to hold another Sathyagraha stating that their lands had not been returned and were still under military occupation. She further said she did not know how much land belonging to civilians were still occupied by the armed forces.

By Romesh Madushanka 

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