Vakarai houses being stripped

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 August 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Soldiers from the newly established Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Vakarai camp are removing timber from deserted houses in the town Vakarai, 60 km north of Batticaloa, said sources in Batticaloa.

The forest around Vakarai is a source of high quality timber, such as Satin, which is used in homes for beams, window panes, doors and even furniture.

As the occupants of the town had fled before the SLA moved into the area, leaving their homes deserted, the SLA is freely removing timber and other items from the houses, said sources.

There have been similar reports of deserted houses within SLA controlled areas being stripped of timber and other valuables from the Jaffna peninsula.