.: Protest requesting to release the lands acquired by the Forces

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protest has been initiated by the people of Selawathura requesting to release
the lands acquired}forcibly bythe armed forces on the 20^th February 2019 with the help of NAFSO.

A petition was drafted and handed over to the Navy Commander of the area with copies to the District Secretary and Divisional Secretary, asking the immediate release of lands to the people in the area. About 200 people then started a continuous ‘Sathyagraha’ protest demanding the release of lands.

People of the area says that the forces have acquired about 36 acres of lands since 1990, and they will continue the protest until the forces release the lands to the village community.

ABOUT NAFSO

NAFSO (National Fisheries Solidarity Movement), organizes fishermen to lobby the government to defend their rights and to bring about good environmental practice in coastal areas. ...NAFSO has helped a fishing community to take legal action against a proposal to build a five-star hotel on a mangrove where fish spawn."We are not against hotels, because they bring tourism and income. But 3,000 families and 15,000 fishermen use this lagoon and all of them could be affected by the developments. Only 200 would be employed by the hotel. The lagoon is our mother, and we must protect her." Jude Preman Fernando, local fisherman. At the present situation we are continuing our campaign with small scale fishermen to urge the government to take legal action against Destructive Fishing Practices around the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. View my complete profile

Praja Abhilasha Network

Protest requesting to release the lands acquired by the Forces