Burial Grounds:

During the time of the war, land was taken by the LTTE and used as a cemetry for dead cadres and civilians. However, in the present, the is now either located in the High Security Zone area or is owned by the Government which is under military control. Due to this reason, burying has become a major issue for the public since there is no land or cemetery to bury a dead person.  

Written by: Ayuni Munasinghe

Landmines:

When the war was still in place, the LTTE had placed a significant number of land-mines across Jaffna region, making settlement for citizens in the North very difficult. Three years after the end of the war, landmines are still a hazard as not all have been eradicated by government troops. According to the Defence Secretary and Minister for National Security, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakse almost 90% of the land-mines have been defused.  

Written by: Ayuni Munasinghe 

At Kirimalai: Interviewing a civilian who speaks of the hardships they face in their day to day lives in order to survive.

Published by: Ayuni Munasinghe

Kirimalai area: Education for children in this area has become an issue due to the distance between these land areas and schools. Children deprived of education have resorted to helping out at shops or just staying at home.

published by: Ayuni Munasinghe

Case Study:

Former MP Lali M Yopeswonam fathers' land has been occupied by unauthorized occupants (22 families) a close relation of theirs came from the United States of America like his legitimate power of attorney and expected the land and noticed that they have been elected small houses without their permission. He goes for trial- each house valued to the Municipal Council. He opts to pay their cost and asked them to evacuate. Some accepted their offer but others wanted some concession amount. Later, the issue was mediated and a small increase amount was paid. Only one occupant refused to accept the money wanted for his land. Later with much forewarning and persuasion, she has agreed to leave the land with a hefty amount as a bribe.

All land disputes settled amicably in payment of money by the ´Ĺand Lord´ at the virtual land owned power of attorney. 

written by: Ayuni Munasinghe

In Sri Lanka, land has been a critical factor in the ethnic conflict that intensified and resulted in the outbreak of a war that spanned over two decades. Most individuals in Sri Lanka will identify land as a fundamental element that defines their life. Ownership and control of land, including the location of and the extent of land owned indicate a person's wealth and social status
Although discussions on land and related issues and attempts to resolve disputes at a community level did run concurrent to the conflict and heightened during the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and post-tsunami period, there were no concrete steps taken by the State or any other to fully address the root causes of grievances, provide sustainable alternatives and some of the underlying problems and disputes that could have been decreased. As we trudge through the land in Jaffna, we come across many of the difficulties that the civilians of the region are facing due to the lack of resources and care available to them. 

Some of these issues include: Burial rights, boundary lines, farming and agriculture property, High Security Zones, Resettlement of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, Abandoned Lines and Internally Displaced Personnel. 

written by: Ayuni Munasinghe