Officials from the Northern Provincial Council have pointed out that 28,316 acres of land belonging to Tamils has been appropriated in just three districts in the province, reported the Uthayan.

The TNA councillors said a special meeting will be convened on October 9 to inquire into land grabs and that nformation revealed was gained from preliminary investigations.

A 20 year old woman was reported missing in Batticaloa by her mother on Friday, reports Uthayan.

The young woman, Nirojini Kanthasamy, was last seen on September 22, when she left home to pawn her ring at the bank in Vaaharai, her mother told the human rights commission in Batticaloa.

Since Nirojini went missing, her mother, Thanganayagam Kanthasamy reports receiving anonymous phone calls from over 5 different numbers.

Nirojini is from Puliyankandaladi village in the Vaaharai region of Batticaloa. 

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said during a meeting with supporters that only politicians who represented the LTTE, and those who supported their cause, did not acknowledge the progress made by the government, reported state media.

“No one is getting killed by bombs anywhere now. Highways which were only dreams for us before are now a reality. We will soon commence the construction of Kandy and Northern highways. Even the roads in rural areas are now been improved and carpeted. 96% of the population is now have electricity. We will be able to provide power to the remaining 4% by next year.”

“It is only a handful of politicians who represented the LTTE and those who supported their cause do not acknowledge this progress. I could not change them,” he said, while speaking at a meeting with Sri Lankan organisations based in Europe, during his visit to Rome

The Northern Provincial Council's Agriculture and Environment Minister P. Ayngaranesan said action is underway to ensure 100,000 trees are planted in the month of November, declaring it the first of an annual tree planting month.

A motion proposed by Ayngaranesan was accepted and passed by Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, ensuring the tradition would be carried on every year in the North from the 1st of November until November 30th, reports Uthayan.
 

A Sri Lankan military official said the army was keeping a close watch on the activities of Tamils to prevent any promotion of “terrorism and anti-state activities”.

Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, head of the security forces in Kilinochchi, said that this was necessary to prevent a revival of the LTTE, reported the New Indian Express.

“What is ‘spying’ for you is ‘being aware’ for us. It is a thin line which divides spying from being aware,” he said.

Ranasinghe justified the presence of military personnel at civilian events.

“We do not interfere with the proceedings. We just listen to find out if anyone is promoting terrorism and anti-state activities,” he said.