Sri Lanka Navy expels resettling Muslims, destroys huts in Musali, Mannaar

Displaced by the Navy

The occupying Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel in uniform and civil clothes, numbering around 70, went amok on the temporary settlement of Muslims at Maraikkaar village in Musali division setting fire to 15 huts and smashing another 10 huts Monday evening around 7:00 p.m., residents said. The SL Navy has ‘warned’ the civilians, who had resettled there in 2010, to vacate the area, the sources further said. In the meantime, a Catholic school that started to function on Monday at Mu'l'likku'lam was also vacated by the SL Navy.

The SL Navy, which has militarised the division it captured from the Tigers, has been very reluctant in allowing the people to resettle in their own villages.

The occupying navy of Sri Lanka has built up a large cantonment with its regional command in Mu'l'likku'lam.

The resettling Muslims have put up around 150 temporary huts. Plans were also afoot to construct 40 permanent houses there, the Muslim people said.

Meanwhile, Mu'l'likku'lam Roman Catholic Government School, which was re-opened on Monday after five years with 21 students and three teachers was also interrupted by the SL Navy. Claiming that the area ‘belonged’ to them, the SL Navy said the area belonged to them and ordered the teachers and students to vacate the school building.

The administration of the school said it had informed the Zonal Education office and the SL military bases well in advance of the reopening of the school.
TN