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The Sri Lankan government say that it is essential to continue with High Security Zones (HSZ) and military installations in the north of the country.
Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella announcing decisions taken by the cabinet of ministers to journalists in Colombo on Thursday said the government will acquire private land for military purposes in the absence of state owned land. The Cabinet had an unprecedented meeting in Kilinochchi on Wednesday. Several human rights organisations have questioned the government's resettlement programme where the war displaced were not given access to their original place of residence. The government has been accused of acquiring private land for military purposes, journalists pointed out to the minister at Thursday's media briefing. 'Strategic value' Minister Rambukwella answered the government 'can't create land,' hence has to rely on existing land. "There is no point in establishing camps on land that has no strategic value," he added. However, Traditional Industries Minister Douglas Devananda say that he is not aware of a decision to carry on with the HSZs. "Nothing was discussed regarding that in the cabinet meeting held at Kilinochchi," he told BBC Tamilosai. He maintained that all HSZ in the north will be 'gradually withdrawn'.
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India's frustration with Sri Lanka over Tamils