Welfare organizations of Valikaamam North residents expelled by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) from their properties twenty years ago cancelled a human chain protest demanding resettlement in their places due to death threats to the key persons of the organizations, sources in Jaffna said. The persons threatened wish anonymity as they fear for their lives. Meanwhile, conflicts between the SLA Jaffna Commander, Major Gen. Mahinda Kathurusinghe and Sri Lanka Minister Douglas Devanda on the issue of resettlement in the outskirts of SLA High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam are causes for the delay in resettlement, the sources further said.
The SLA Jaffna Commander who enjoys the support of powerful government politicians often criticizes Douglas Devananda publicly, the sources said.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that Douglas Devananda is trying to create political advantage to him in the resettlement of the Valikaamam North uprooted families.
SLA was preparing to allow resettlement in 18 villages located in the outskirts of the HSZ in the initial stage, NGO circles in Jaffna said.
The rivalry between Douglas Devananda and Major Gen. Mahinda Kathurusinghe is said to be the obstacle in the resettlement of Valikaamam North families, they further said.
The death threats to the organizers of the human chain demonstration are seen as the result of the said rivalry.
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