SLA refuses permission to residents to enter HSZs in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 February 2010, 03:27 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers did not allow the people evicted from SLA High Security Zones (HSZs) in Jaffna peninsula to enter the HSZs in Thellippazhai and Jaffna town when they went to see their lands and houses Sunday. Prior to the presidential election the government had promised them resettlement in the HSZs and SLA soldiers had allowed them to go and see their properties during day time but now they had been denied permission even to enter the HSZs, sources in Jaffna said.

The residents of the HSZ in Kozhumpuththu’rai and Thu’ndi too were sent back Sunday when they sought entry by the SLA soldiers at the FDL check post.

Residents who were permitted entry into the HSZs in Thenmaraadchi were also denied permission.

Before the presidential election the residents were permitted entry into the HSZs after checking. However, they were not allowed to stay overnight.

SLA officials at Thellippazhai check post did not say when the residents will be allowed entry into the HSZs again but informed that only persons who come to the entrance on Kaangkeasanthu’rai road will be permitted to enter.

Residents who were permitted to resettle in Ezhuthumadduvaa’l and Karampakam areas in Thenmaraadchi are denied permission to use the A9 road and are stopped at Mirusuvil junction.

They have to travel a long distance through hamlets in the area to reach their homes.

Resettlement in HSZs was one of the several election promises made by the government and now it appears that the promises will just remain promises, civil society sources said.