 The Sri Lankan military declared the project will be completed next week. |
The Tamil National Alliance rejected Sri Lankan government plans to build a village in the North-East for Sri Lankan soldiers who have married Tamil women, stating that it was a intended to forcibly colonise Tamil areas with Sinhalese soldiers.
The "Sanhindiyawe Sathwirugama" housing project is due to be completed next week, having been entirely constructed by the Sri Lankan navy, air force and army.
The village, at Kokeliya in Vavuniya, will be for Sri Lankan soldiers married to Tamil women and for 51 Tamil women have joined the Sri Lankan military, declared the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Karunasena Hettiarachchi.
During the Northern Provincial Council’s 48th session this week, where concerns regarding other housing projects were raised, TNA councillor T Sarveswaran objected to the housing scheme, stating that it would forcibly locate Sinhalese soldiers in Tamil areas.
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Sarath Chandrasiri Withana however dismissed the allegations, stating it was “a true reconciliation village”.
In any case, “this is a state land not a private property,” said Mr Withana.