Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekera has ruled out the possibility of the re-opening of the Moondrumurippu–Thatchankulam main road and the release of the surrounding land.
Maj. Gen. Jayasekera said so responding to Vanni District ITAK MP Dr P. Sathiyalingam during the parliamentary session last week. The lawmaker questioned the government over the continued military control of civilian land in Vavuniya, including the site of an LTTE cemetery.
Maj. Gen. Jayasekera said that “due to prevailing security considerations,” it was not possible, at present, to release the land or reopen the road. The Deputy MInister said that “alternative
routes are available for public use.”
Dr Sathiyalingam, however, pointed out that these alternate routes were only suitable for two-wheelers and urged the government to consider a special budgetary allocation in 2026 to repair and upgrade these roads.
The Minister replied that the matter would be taken up at the Vavuniya District Development Committee meeting and that efforts would be made to secure special funding for the rehabilitation of the roads.
The ITAK MP also raised concern that several key sites in Vavuniya continue to remain under
military control, including:
• the land belonging to the Vavuniya Municipal Council, where the Vavuniya Police Station is located;
• the private land at Eechankulam, where a Thuyilumillam (cemetery for LTTE cadres) stands; and
• the property of the Chettikulam cooperative society, currently occupied by a Special Task Force (STF).
Dr Sathiyalingam noted that despite more than 16 years having passed since the end of the armed conflict, these lands have yet to be released to their rightful civilian owners.