Destructive trend of Sinhalicisation harmful for future harmony in East: Thurairatnam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 January 2012, 23:57 GMT]
Archaeological traces of heritage, preserved in 25 acres of land in Chuvaami-malai and Kevu'liya-madu villages in Paddippazhai DS division of Batticaloa district, are being destroyed by Sinhala encroachers, who are attempting to construct a Buddhist vihara at the occupied lands, civil sources Paddippazhai said. Condemning the move, Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) member R. Thurairatnam, said the destructive trend is opposed to any future ethnic harmony in the East. The historical evidences in the area were well preserved even during the times of war, Mr. Thurairatnam observed.

The occupying Sri Lanka Army and SL Police are assisting the encroachers to carry out the destruction, civil sources in the area said.

140 Sinhala families had encroached lands that belonged to Tamils in the villages of Kevu'liya-madu and Chuvaami-malai four years ago, after the war ended. Now the encroachers claim that the area belong to them.

The act of destruction of archaeological traces of heritage in the lands confirm that the traces belong to Eezham Tamil heritage, a young Tamil politician in Batticaloa said.

The trend also indicates why the Sri Lankan government, aiming total demographic change in the East, has not been interested in giving land and police powers to Eezham Tamils, he added.