The Sri Lankan army has been intimidating Mullaitivu villagers ahead of a presidential visit.
Soldiers threatened Keppapilavu villagers against holding protests over land-returns during President Sirisena’s visit.
The villagers were told that if they protested and demanded their own lands back - instead of accepting the alternative lands or monetary compensation currently promised - they would be forced to remain in their displaced situations.
Keppapilavu villagers, currently living in temporary settlements, were expecting their lands to be returned during the upcoming presidential visit on the 25th January.
Villagers reported that they had only become aware of the plan to resettle them in alternative lands through the military threats.