Villagers say the attackers are trying to evict them to grab their lands

The armed group has destroyed several houses and attacked villagers in Ragamwela, Panama, Potuvil who fear an attempt to grab land. The Valukarama temple in Ragamwela had also come under attack.

A Buddhist monk, Unawatune Vajirawansa thero, is among the victims of the attack.

"They took us out at about one am in early morning and threatened us to move away from the temple," the monk said.

Tourism industry

Panama Mudiyanselage Bandara, one of the victims said the attackers came about midnight and closed their eyes with black bands.

They came to kill us but we managed to flee. When we approached the STF point, they said they had no authorisation from the Panama camp to visit the area A victim

"They took us out and threaten to kill us. They had two T56 rifles. I managed to flee but by the time I turned back they were setting fire to everywhere," he said.

Upali Abeynayake, a retired soldier has also come under attack.

"They came to kill us but we managed to flee. When we approached the STF point, they said they had no authorisation from the Panama camp to visit the area."

Local media organisations say that journalists were stopped from visiting Ragamwela by the police.

Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP), Premalal Ranagala, has visited the area undertook to meet the District Secretary with a view to settle the land dispute.

While some of the Ragamwela residents have inherited land others have been granted ownership by courts, reports Wasantha Chandrapala who met the villagers.

Panama is in the vicinity of the Yala wildlife sanctuary and the Arugambay surfing resort.

Tourism industry in the area that has been badly affected during the decades long conflict, has seen a revival in recent months.