CPA Comms Officer on 10 October, 2023

Land Issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in Sri Lanka

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Documentaries

Land has been a catalyst for conflict for several decades in Sri Lanka. 15 years after the war, this issue persists particularly in the North and East provinces of Sri Lanka. Recently, archaeology and national heritage have been used as tools to marginalize minorities.15 years after the war this should not continue. Is reconciliation possible in Sri Lanka?

 

Animations

Land has always been a source of conflict in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, where a civil war raged for over 30 years. Various entities still continue to exploit land disputes to create ethnic tensions between communities.
One notable location is Kurunthurmalai, also known as Kurundi Temple in Sinhalese. Interventions by the Archeological Department and the construction of a new Buddhist temple, and discriminatory rules imposed on the Tamil community, barring entry to the site for worship have heightened fears among locals about their rights to land and freedom to practice their religion.
These critical issues continue to impede the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, even a decade after the conclusion of the war. Such activities raise questions about whether the state is genuinely committed to achieving reconciliation.

In Mannar, Sri Lanka, local communities are sounding the alarm over two major development projects that could devastate their livelihoods and environment. The Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision to expand wind power stations in partnership with Adani Green Energy Limited has sparked concerns about land destruction and depleted fishing waters. Additionally, unsustainable sand mining activities by private businesses are putting the island’s ecosystem and groundwater reserves at risk. Experts warn that these projects could disrupt migratory bird flight routes and natural habitats, further threatening local species. As mega-scale developments continue, the community fears displacement and a loss of their traditional ways of life.

Photo stories

CPA’s research in the North and East demonstrates accusations against the Department of Archaeology and others of bias towards promoting Buddhist historicity. The continued appropriation of lands belonging to and used by minorities disrupts religious inclusivity and coexistence. This is a series of photos depicting some land conflicts that are being researched by CPA. Further research and insights on these issues are forthcoming.
Watch the Photo story here
The land conflict in the North and the East has multifaceted implications. Previously, CPA looked into several contested sites in the region, where land appropriation had led to grave socio-cultural implications. In this series, we delve in to the socio economic implications of land conflict faced by minority ethnic communities living in the North and East region.
Check full story via the link

 

Key Cases

 

For over 6 months, Cattle farmers in Mailathamadu have protested against the encroachment of their ancestral grazing land. This dispute highlights challenges of achieving reconciliation and addressing historical grievances in a post-war context. The government’s response has been mixed, deepening Tamil distrust and raising questions about its commitment to genuine reconciliation.

 

32 buddhist temples have been initiated at the Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat. Kuchaveli is a majority of Tamil-speaking administrative division in Trincomalee, with the majority of the community being muslims and tamils. 2506.5 acres of private land belonging to Tamils in the the Kuchchaveli region are alleged to have been acquired forcefully for the construction of these 32 Buddhist temples.

 

Vedukkunaari Aathi Lingeswarar Temple has been at the center of controversy during recent times as the Department of Archaeology has claimed it as part of an ancient Buddhist pilgrim site and has banned people from entering the site. This, along with several acts of vandalism, has sparked new concerns regarding post-conflict minority rights in the Northern Province. This can be seen as yet another attempt by the state and its institutions to suppress the cultural rights of people.