2nd Lead (Adds photos)

Illegal settlements to be dismantled in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 14:13 GMT]
Sri Lankan government officials Tuesday began surveying state lands in the environs of Vavuniya town on which 296 families have encroached illegally. Some encroachments on the catchment areas of local reservoirs were backed by paramilitaries during the war, officials said.

The lands belong to the departments of Irrigation, Railway and Agriculture.

Vavuniya GA Mr.K. Ganesh said the decision to evict was taken in view of the urban management problems caused by the encroachments.

He said local Divisional Secretaries have been asked assist in dismantling the encroachments.

Officials said sky rocketing land prices in Vavuniya are driving racketeers to illegaly occupy and sell state land to innocent buyers.