In May 2025, the Sri Lankan military escalated its occupation of the Tamil homeland under the guise of civil outreach—ranging from church renovations and aid distributions to military-run golf tournaments held on seized Tamil land. These highly publicised activities, led by infantry divisions accused of war crimes, serve to normalise the military’s entrenched dominance while deflecting scrutiny over its role in crimes against humanity.
Northern Province
In the Northern Province, on 8 May, 115 soldiers from the 15th Battalion of the Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) undertook a painting project at Peniel Blessing Church in Urumpirai South, Jaffna, as part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. Supervised by Lieutenant Colonel S.M.C. Samarasinghe, the operation exemplifies the military’s expanding footprint in civilian and religious life—an act widely viewed by Tamil communities as a form of intimidation and enforced submission.
On 17 May 2025, soldiers from the 551 Infantry Brigade carried out a high-profile donation event at Vannrikkulam Maha Vidyalayam in Kilinochchi, distributing stationery to 40 schoolchildren, clothing to 40 elderly residents, and providing lunch for approximately 250 villagers. The event was overseen by Colonel T.B.M.R. Kandekumbura, Commander of the 551 Infantry Brigade, who appeared as Chief Guest. While presented as a charitable gesture, the operation underscores the military’s persistent presence in the Tamil homeland and its strategic use of “humanitarian” activities to entrench influence.
On 24 May 2025, the No. 05 Air Defence Radar Squadron at the Sri Lanka Air Force Station in Palavi marked its 18th anniversary with a parade and a series of public events. As part of the commemorations, a community outreach programme was held at the Aloka Girls’ Home in Madurankuli - now officially referred to by its Sinhalised name, Madurankuliya - under the leadership of Commanding Officer Wing Commander P.G.U.N. Dharmapala.
Also on 24 May 2025, soldiers from the 5th (Volunteer) Mechanized Infantry Battalion carried out the third phase of renovation work on the perimeter fence of the Vidaththaltheevu Divisional Hospital in Mannar, installing new concrete posts under the banner of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Brigadier I.P. Jayasinghe, Commander of the 541 Brigade, 54 Infantry Division.
The following day on 25 May 2025, the 541 Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier IP Jayasinghe, organised a roadside cleaning operation along the A-32 from Vellankulam, Mannar checkpoint to Paaliyaru Bridge in Mullaitivu District. This was conducted by the 5 (V) Mechanized Infantry Regiment under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.
The Sri Lanka Army’s 54 Infantry Division stands accused of grave war crimes and human rights violations during the final phase of the 2009 genocide, particularly in the Mannar District and the then LTTE-controlled Vanni region. Tamil survivors have reported torture and sexual violence in detention centres and military camps believed to have been operated under the Division’s command.
On 26 May 2025, troops of the 9 Gajaba Regiment organised a donation programme at their base in Manal Aru (Sinhalised to Weli Oya) in Mullaitivu. Gift packs, skincare, and baby care products were distributed to 161 pregnant mothers of army personnel and local civilians. Following the distribution, representatives from the sponsor organisation, 4ever Skin Naturals, alongside medical professionals from Padaviya and Sampathnuwara Hospitals, delivered health education sessions focused on maternal care and wellbeing.
Militarisation in Manal Aru escalated violently, following the 1983 Black July pogrom against Tamils. Under the then Sri Lankan ministers Lalith Athulathmudali’s command, the JOSSOP government operation coordinated military and police forces to forcibly Sinhalise ancestral Tamil lands by incorporating them into the Mahaweli Development Scheme — a large-scale irrigation and resettlement project designed to expand Sinhala-Buddhist dominance through relocating Sinhalese settlers, including convicts and their families, onto Tamil lands. This state-led colonisation was accompanied by systematic harassment, violence, and the forced eviction of Tamil villagers.
Administrative control was transferred to the Sinhalese Anuradhapura district, enforcing strict military oversight that barred Tamil officials from entering without authorisation and isolated Tamil communities from their ancestral lands, effectively forcing them out of the newly named Weli Oya.
Today, Weli Oya, with a predominantly Sinhalese population, is recognised as a Divisional Secretariat Division, which further facilitates state-led militarisation. Traditional Tamil villages in the region have been renamed including, Sampathnuwara, erasing Tamil heritage and identity.
On 29 May 2025, the 51 Infantry Division, under the 511 Infantry Brigade, conducted a donation programme at Palaly North G.T.M. School, Kopay, Jaffna. This Civil-Military Cooperation initiative, led by Major General MPNA Muthumala, General Officer Commanding 51 Infantry Division, and overseen by Major General YABM Yahampath, Commander of Security Force Headquarters Jaffna, was held in the presence of the Divisional Secretary of Thellippalai. It supported 40 students from low-income families by providing educational supplies. These humanitarian programmes serve to extend military influence over the next generation of the Tamil population.
Eastern Province
On 10 May 2025, under the command of the Army Commander and under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, troops of the 241 Infantry Brigade conducted a cleaning programme at Thambatta Beach in Akkaraipattu, installing concrete waste bins in coordination with the Alayadiwembu Divisional Secretariat and Pradeshiya Sabha.
The inspection of civilian facilities, including a preschool and welfare shop complex, at SLAF Station Batticaloa on 17 May 2025 exemplifies ongoing militarisation through the systematic erosion of boundaries between civilian and military spheres in the Tamil homeland.
On 27 May 2025, the 15th Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry, under the supervision of Security Forces (East) Commander Major General P.R. Pathiravithana and the General Officer Commanding, 22 Infantry Division, conducted a medical camp in coordination with the Regional Health Services Office for over 200 civilians at Agbo Rajamaha Viharaya, Thissapura, Trincomalee.
The Sri Lanka Air Force, in partnership with Eagles’ Golf Links, hosted the fourth Eagles’ Quadrangle Cup - an inter-club golf tournament featuring four premier Sri Lankan clubs competing for the title on 31 May 2025 at China Bay, Trincomalee.
Eagles’ Golf Links golf resort is operated by Sri Lankan Air Force and was built on militarised land located close to Trincomalee Harbour. It was opened in 2012 by former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been sanctioned by Canada for gross and systematic human rights violations during the latter stages of the armed conflict when he served as Secretary of Defence — he is implicated in mass killings of Tamil civilians, enforced disappearances, and premeditated attacks on hospitals.
Military-operated recreational facilities such as Eagle Golf Links divert attention from the ongoing denial of justice for victims and normalise the military’s presence in civilian life by tacitly endorsing military-run businesses in the Tamil homeland.
Eagles’ Quadrangle Cup, supported by multiple sponsors and attended by Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, Director General of Air Operations, as Chief Guest, alongside Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayawardena, Director General Welfare, reinforces the SLAF’s expanding influence in the Tamil homeland, this time under the guise of sports.
