SLN constructs new coastal bases in Eastern Province despite protests

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 14:55 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is engaged in constructing many new bases along the coast in the districts of Ampaa’rai and Batticaloa in Eastern Province disregarding strong protests of local Tamil and Muslim people, sources in Batticaloa. Oluvil Mosque president Abubucker Lebbai Ismail expressed concern that new SLN bases in heavily populated places where there were none even during the war will cause inconvenience to fishermen of the area besides creating conflicts between SLN and the residents. The big SLN base under construction near South Eastern University in Oluvil will pose economical and cultural problems for the people in Oluvil in Ampaa’rai district, the president said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka government has taken over 1050 acres of land of Cashew Corporation and all initial works have been completed to build a new SLN coastal base in Koa’ra’laippattu South Divisional Secretariat area in Batticaloa district.

Oluvil mosque administrators and fishermen said that though they had sent an appeal to Sri Lanka President to stop building the new SLN base as a base already exists near Oluvil harbour area, no action has been taken.

The construction of this new SLN base has raised apprehension among the fishermen and public, they further said.

SLN has converted the tsunami damaged school building in Oluvil where kindergarten and Muslim religious classes were held affecting the education of Muslims as well as their daily lives, Oluvil residents said.