Scrap SLAF base - council

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 September 1998, 18:54 GMT]
The Batticaloa Municipal council passed a unanimous resolution today demanding that the government should remove the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) base in the eastern town. The Council also unanimously condemned the move by the SLAF to close down the Alaiadichcholai cemetery, Sri Vigneswara school and the Hindu temple which are close to its base in the Batticaloa town.

The motion demanding that the government should close down the Batticaloa SLAF base was moved by the UNP councillor Mr.A. Chakaravarthy. The SLAF banned the use of the Alaiadichcholai cemetery, the Vigneswara Viththiyalayam (school) and the Siththi Vinayagar temple from September 12.

The cemetery is the Batticaloa town's main cremation and burial ground. More than 1500 children study at the Vigneswara school. Despite stern warnings by the SLAF to close down without delay, the school continues to function.

The temple trustees said today that they have also decided not to yield to the SLAF's threats. They said SLAF is unreasonable to expect them to abandon their ancient village temple to suit its interests.