No civilian properties will be acquired –Jaffna Commander

 

The army had no plans to acquire civilian properties to establish military camps in Jaffna and its occupation of civilian property had been reduced considerably, Security Forces Commander of Jaffna Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe told officials of the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 

The OHCHR delegation, headed by Hanny Megally, Chief Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa Branch, who visited Jaffna on Monday, was briefed by the SF Commander Jaffna on the current situation in the Peninsula, history of the separatist conflict and devastation caused by the LTTE to life and property and the on-going development process.

 

Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe said: "Contrary to stories being floated by some vested interests, we have no plan to acquire civilians’ lands to establish military camps in Jaffna. The army has already earmarked government lands for that purpose. However, the government will acquire some lands necessary for the expansion of the Palaly airport and the Kankesanthurai harbour after paying compensation to legitimate owners."

 

Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe said that the Army had already handed over most of the civilian properties to the owners and others were paid on a monthly basis. He also said the number of troops present in Jaffna was lower than in some other districts. "Some parties and media, for political reasons, were trying to exaggerate this number. "The Government was compelled to strengthen the army to fight terrorists who attempted to capture nearly one third of the country’s landmass encompassing more than two thirds of the coastal belt. That war is over, the government cannot demobilise those who risked life and limb to combat terrorism."

 

Hathurusinghe, explaining the Army’s involvement in rehabilitation of ex-combatants and other social development projects launched by the Army, said the soldiers had fought against terrorists and not any ethnic community.

 

(Island)