Farmers in Mullaitivu have urged the Sri Lankan government to push the army to release agricultural tanks currently under its occupation, Ceylon Today reported.
The demand comes after requests to date have proved futile, with no action taken.
“Southern fishermen are poaching in our waters," the farmers were quoted by the newspaper as saying.
"Ancient lands of farmers have been occupied under the Mahaweli Zone. This had now extended up to the borders of our ancient lands. Thousands of acres of prime land have been taken over such as the Kent and Dollar farms,” the farmers added.
"Even with all these difficulties when we try to continue our farming activities, our tanks are not available. The11 tanks under army control are those from which famers of the region obtained water resources."
"Around 500 acres of land and four tanks out of the 11 are under the Air Force. Murukandy, Arokiyapuram, Oddusuddan, Sivanagar, Kuruthoor and Thuvarankulam tanks are under the army. This had thoroughly affected the livelihood of farmers and the government is bound to take immediate action in this regard,” they said.
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