Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya faced direct confrontation from Tamil landowners during her visit to Jaffna on Saturday, as frustrations over the non-release of occupied lands boiled over.
The tense exchange occurred at Ezhalai Ezhu Kovilady, where Amarasuriya was accompanied by Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, MP Rajeevan Jayachandramurthi, and Jaffna University lecturer and NPP member Kapilan.
Amarasuriya, representing the National People’s Power (NPP) government, had spoken at an event about the government’s initiatives in the Tamil homeland. However, she failed to address core Tamil issues, including the return of occupied land, the release of Tamil political prisoners, and land reclamation—issues that have long remained unresolved despite multiple promises by successive governments.
As she stepped off the stage, a Tamil landowner from Palaly confronted her, speaking in both Tamil and Sinhala, demanding answers over the continued occupation of his land. He criticised the NPP government for using Tamil grievances for political gain without taking meaningful action.
Despite his peaceful demand for answers, security personnel quickly surrounded him and forcibly removed him from the area. Journalists attempting to document the exchange were also met with hostility from the security forces. Shortly after, Amarasuriya was escorted away under police protection, leaving the landowners without any response to their concerns.
The confrontation reflects widespread frustration among Tamils over the continued military occupation and state-sponsored land grabs in the Tamil homeland. The issue of land release has been a long-standing demand of Tamil families, particularly in Palaly, where large tracts of private land remain under military control, preventing displaced families from returning.
Despite repeated assurances from various Sri Lankan administrations, including the current NPP government, Tamil landowners continue to face delays, bureaucratic obstacles, and outright refusal from the state when seeking the return of their land.
Earlier in the day, Amarasuriya visited Jaffna Hindu College, where she discussed educational reforms with students and school officials. She emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on tuition classes and providing quality education across the country.
"Our duty is to ensure that education nurtures respectful, ethical, and capable leadership for the advancement of society," she stated.
Later, she visited the Kopay Teachers’ College to discuss further educational policies.
Amarasuriya’s appearance at the schools comes despite her previous remarks on how politicians should not be invited to school events.
