Tsunami-affected Muslims despair at illicit land grab by Kelum Bandara

Muslim families affected by the tsunami in Kinniya, Trincomalee, are seeking the intervention of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to settle the issue of encroachment by some people, on lands allocated for the relocation of Muslim families.

Sources from Kinniya told the Daily Mirror yesterday that 50 acres of land had been allocated for the resettlement of tsunami- affected Muslim families. However, a group of 52 families had now begun to encroach on the lands, without permission from the authorities concerned, leaving these Muslim families in the lurch.

“They have now begun to put up permanent houses, schools, wells and other facilities, including a cemetery. They are also supported by an NGO. Because of this invasion, we have doubts whether we would be relocated far away from the sea, affecting our livelihood as fishermen,” sources said.

These Muslim families are urging the President to look into this problem and work out a solution immediately. They are also urging the authorities concerned not to relocate them far away from the coastal belt because it can affect their livelihood as fishermen.

Kinniya was the most-affected area by the tsunami in the Trincomalee district, with around 1800 families being displaced.

(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/07/26/news/09.asp)