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TNA: Sampanthan went to a private land; Not a camp

27 April 2016 10:15 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Opposition Leader did not try to forcibly enter the army camp, but entered a private land the Army was illegally occupying in Kilinochchi, TNA Spokesman M. A Sumanthiran said today.

Addressing a press briefing held at the Opposition leader’s office to clarify allegation that the Opposition Leader had entered an Army camp forcibly, Mr. Sumanthiran said it was the Army that was illegally occupying the private properties in the area.

“An inquiry should not be held into, why the Opposition Leader entered the land. Instead an inquiry should be held as to why the Army was occupying that land,” he said.

He said 88 families were living in the area and had left during the war and the Army had occupied the lands since 2009.

“34 families were able to go back to their properties; the remaining 54 families are unable to go back to their homes because the Army was occupying the properties. So, if there is any discussion with regard to illegality or force, it has been perpetrated by the Army. Not by the Opposition Leader,” he said.

The Opposition Leader had had visited Kilinochchi on the invitation of said 54 families, who claimed the Army did not allow them to resettle on their lands.

“The Opposition Leader and several MPs had gone to the area and the persons, who were at the entrance had opened the barricade without any question and had allowed them to enter,” he said.

“The land, which is being occupied by the Army is not a State land, it is a private land. If the Army wants to occupy the land there is a procedure. People are being made to believe that the Opposition Leader had forcibly entered the land. It is wrong. This did not happen,” the MP said.

Mr. Sumanthiran said that there was no need for the Army to continue to occupy private property with the end of the war.

He said the Army had only acquired about 5 acres. There were more than 20 acres which is still private.

“It is wrong to give a picture that there were some Army camp of some High Security on State land. It is not correct. There is no Army camp. Only people's houses are there,” he said.

He said the Opposition Leader had met the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday morning and discussed the matter.

“The Prime Minister assured that he would call for a report from the Army on the matter,” he said. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

Video by Darshan Sanjeewa


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  Comments - 18

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  • Raviraj Thursday, 28 April 2016 12:33 PM

    If the opposition leader is a Sinhala man, and went to the camp it would have been a different story. Well done,again racist!

    Sri Thursday, 28 April 2016 06:17 PM

    7 years have passed. The ones who suffered the most are the ones who are still suffering. The people of the North suffered at the hands of the terrorists and at the hands of the army, for 30 long years. It it time we stood up for them and helped them back on their feet. The government should know that racism and racist sentiments cannot be subjugated by supression, but only though compassion. We should create an environment where every citizen is respected equally, and that rebelling against such a dogma would be a heinous crime even in one's nightmare.

    Lankan Thursday, 28 April 2016 06:03 PM

    How did he walk into an army camp, there is always an army personal on guard at gate?

    Vanniyan Thursday, 28 April 2016 03:50 PM

    Guys..please don't waste your time for discuss these type of pity things which utilize by MR regime for their poor politics.As Sumanthiran explained Opposition Leader just went with people who were living there in past

    laksiri Thursday, 28 April 2016 02:45 PM

    do not take over police AND court job. you people will never stop this nature of nonsense.

    Sheri Thursday, 28 April 2016 01:27 PM

    He just stupidly turned up - what was he doing there anyway? There are procedures to follow when entering a high security zone, anywhere in the world! His fitness to be a minister is in question!

    Aba Jayasekera Thursday, 28 April 2016 01:22 PM

    Sumanthiran may say this is private land but the fact is that it is being occupied by the army. As a lawyer he should know that if the land is occupied by the army, Sampanthan cannot enter the land by force saying it is private land. What should have been done was to claim it through the courts and the hand over by a courts officer. Alternatively the property could have been handed over by the Government. Sumantharan's excuse for Sampanthan's trespass is a lame one not befitting a Supreme Court Lawyer.

    Sheri Thursday, 28 April 2016 01:22 PM

    This comment is utter rubish! Our armed forces need to protect our country from terrorists and they have the right to be there or wherever they need to!

    manu Thursday, 28 April 2016 12:46 PM

    It's the time for the President to take tough action against TNA gangs and warn them of severe consequences. Now they have become like an untied bull trying to poke every where.

    Cheers Thursday, 28 April 2016 03:02 AM

    Military footage will provide this is untrue and if he did not obey the orders of the forces they should have shot sampanthan or ant other person entering a high security military camp

    Boonda Thursday, 28 April 2016 12:31 PM

    Good attitude mate! Note that the world is watching and a leader with a spine as you claim will only ensure that there be a referendum on self determination under UN watch. We better be more accommodating.

    Fayad Thursday, 28 April 2016 12:13 PM

    An educated man talking like a idiot , Blind by racism.

    ANTON Thursday, 28 April 2016 07:05 AM

    EITHER YOU ARE BLIND OR WE ARE BLIND.

    Cobra Thursday, 28 April 2016 06:47 AM

    But as a minister he acted irresponsibly. That was not the way he should have gone about it. He's lucky that the army did not lock him up for trespass, minister or not. My respect for him just vanished!!!

    Vignes Thursday, 28 April 2016 04:12 AM

    Don't you know,Tamils private land are SL Army Asset for long time Sri Lanka?

    raj Thursday, 28 April 2016 03:29 AM

    This proves that the Singhalese regimes will deliver justice to Tamils. The government of Sri Lanka actually put military uniform to Singhalese people and make them look like army in order to justify the occupation of private land. This is a cruel act. It makes the people who suffered a lot during the war to suffer further.

    Ratna Thursday, 28 April 2016 03:12 AM

    Sumanthiran's statement makes sense and it is time the Sri Lankan Government takes steps to ensure a free and fair system of governance and environment for all the people of Sri Lanka. If the Goverment of Sri Lanka asserts the country is safe for all people, now, then there is no reason to continue with Military camps or High Security Zones.Well said Suma.

    melda Thursday, 28 April 2016 03:11 AM

    finally victim has become the accused untill sinhalese has a spineless leadership we will have to experience these things. could be more to come... via DM Android App


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