After nearly four decades, the Sri Lankan military has closed its long-standing base in Karaitheevu, Amparai District, marking the first closure of a single military base after 38 years of continuous occupation in the Tamil homeland.
The camp, located along the main Karaitheevu–Kalmunai road since 1987, was formally vacated and handed back on Friday, 10 October. Lands and buildings previously seized by the military — including property belonging to the Karaitheevu Pradeshiya Sabha, the Divisional Secretariat, and several private landowners — were officially returned to their rightful owners.
The Kalmunai Area Commander of the Sri Lankan Army handed over the relevant documents to Divisional Secretary G. Arunan and the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha in a brief ceremony on Friday evening. Around 50 soldiers stationed at the site were transferred to the occupying Kalmunai military base instead.
The camp’s closure follows decades of militarisation in Karaitheevu. Since 1988, the Sri Lankan Army, Special Task Force (STF), Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF), and intelligence units have maintained a near-continuous presence in the village. Locals recall that Karaitheevu suffered repeated cycles of violence and destruction between 1985 and 1990, after which the area became heavily securitised.
Although the military has vacated the main premises, reports indicate that a few members of the National Intelligence Service and three army personnel will remain temporarily on-site for another week before leaving.
Divisional Secretary G. Arunan confirmed that the Kalmunai Regional Commander had informed the local administration of the decision and formally completed the handover.
Local residents welcomed the withdrawal, describing it as a long-overdue step towards normalcy and self-governance. Local officials noted that the land’s return would provide a significant boost to the region’s economy and administrative capacity. The Pradeshiya Sabha is expected to use part of the property for public services, while the Divisional Secretariat plans to expand its operations from the reclaimed land.
The Karaitheevu camp’s closure marks a rare instance of military withdrawal in the Eastern Province, where vast tracts of land remain under army occupation sixteen years after the end of the armed conflict.
Sri Lanka’s armed forces remain one of the largest in the world per capita, with the vast majority stationed in the Tamil North-East.
