Acting leader of the Ilangai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Party, C.V.K. Sivagnanam, has questioned the continued heavy military presence in the Northern and Eastern provinces, despite apparent improvements in the country’s national security. Speaking at a media briefing in Jaffna, Sivagnanam argued that if the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa can be reduced, there is little justification for the substantial deployment of army, air, and naval forces in areas predominantly inhabited by Tamil communities.
Sivagnanam emphasized that the Mullaitivu district, in particular, remains heavily occupied by the Sri Lanka Air Force, which he described as an ongoing military invasion. He further suggested that a reduction in military presence would not only bolster confidence among local residents but also enable the return of forest lands to civilian use, facilitating agriculture and economic revival in the region.
Highlighting the disparity in troop deployment across the country, Sivagnanam called on the government to reassess its security policies in the North and East, ensuring that military operations do not hinder regional development or the restoration of civilian livelihoods.
