Sinhala encroachment of grazing lands continues unabated in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2011, 20:32 GMT]
Under the direction of SL authorities in Colombo, the Ampaa'rai District Agrarians Services Department has begun issuing permits to Sinhala encroachers on grazing lands in the Batticaloa district giving permanent status. Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Mr.P.Selvarasa addressing a meeting of the farmers at Vavu'natheevu DS secretariat last week requested the Sri Lanka Government Agent of Batticaloa District to stop legalizing encroachment by Sinhalese on grazing land located in Vavu'natheevu, Paddippazhai and Vellaave'li DS division in the Batticaloa district.

Tamil dairy farmers and cattle breeders in these areas are undergoing tremendous difficulties as losing their cattle due to the encroachment by Sinhalese.

He further stated that though he had brought this matter to the notice of several ministers of Mahinda Rajapaksa government when they attended District Coordinating and Development Meetings in Batticaloa the process of legalizing encroachers was continuing.

The TNA MP blamed the respective Divisional Secretaries for their failure to stop such illegal activities in their divisions.

Legal action would be taken if such illegal activities are not stopped within one month, Mr.Selvarasa warned.

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