Valikamam North land acquisition plans must be withdrawn because the Gazette includes disputed land used for a military hospital, Sumanthiran says.
Former Parliamentarian and President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran has called on the Government to withdraw the Gazette issued for the acquisition of lands in Valikamam North, stating that it also includes the land on which a military hospital is currently being reconstructed.
Speaking to the media on Saturday following a meeting between the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) and the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) at the residence of Acting ITAK Leader C.V.K. Sivagnanam, Sumanthiran said the issue of the military hospital had also been discussed.
He noted that the land on which the military hospital is being rebuilt is already part of an ongoing court case concerning lands in Valikamam North.
“The Government Gazette issued in relation to the Valikamam North land acquisition includes the land where the military hospital is located. However, the military claims that it is constructing the hospital on land acquired by the Government,” he said.
Sumanthiran further argued that any construction of the military hospital should have obtained building approval from the relevant local authority. He added that local authorities have the legal power to take action against buildings erected without the required approval.
“In these circumstances, we urge the Government to withdraw the Gazette relating to the acquisition of lands in Valikamam North,” he said.
Referring to a separate discussion held in Colombo, Sumanthiran said six Tamil political parties had agreed to work together on several key issues affecting the Tamil community.
He said the parties had reached a consensus to jointly advocate for the holding of Provincial Council elections, the introduction of a new Constitution with meaningful devolution of powers, and the protection of land rights.
“Our objective is to present a united voice. When communities representing nearly 25% of Sri Lanka’s population speak together on common issues, that voice carries greater strength,” he said.
Sumanthiran also stressed the need to safeguard provincial powers, warning against transferring powers already devolved to the provinces back to the Central Government.
“Provincial schools and hospitals were secured after long struggles. We should not be the ones to surrender those powers to the Centre. All stakeholders must unite to protect them,” he added.
