News
Tense situation as officials attempt to stop Ampara event on land grab
12 Oct, 2019
A tense situation arose in Ampara today as officials attempted to stop an event organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on land garb issues.
The even organised by the Human Elevation Organisation (HEO) was to be held this morning.
Organisers said that a narrative report ?Land, Grabbing – Denial of Our Existence?, was to be launched today, by HEO and the Ampara District Association for Land Rights (ADALR).
The report was compiled by communities engaged in the struggle for land in the Eastern Province.
However the Elections Commission issued instructions to stop the event as it was reported that politicians were to attend and that it violates election circulars issued by the Elections Commission.
However those who were attending the event protested against moves to stop the event saying politicians were not going to attend the event and that they had a right to express their views on issues faced by them.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) said that it had received notice that a discussion over land rights at the Addalaichennai District Secretary Office had been stopped.
CMEV said that though the office “Al Sakki Hall” was locked the public had gathered outside the venue. (Colombo Gazette)
#Ampara community chases away #GA & govt officials saying ?our taxes pay your salaries! We don?t care who does it, but, just resolve our #land issues. We have been blocked from entering our #farm lands for 20 yrs now. Who will be accountable to us for our #lands?? #lka pic.twitter.com/XLoUItqMnm
— Mari (@Mari_deSilva) October 12, 2019
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