HUMAN RIGHTS “Why Can’t We Go Home?” Military Occupation of Land in Sri Lanka WATCH “Why Can’t We Go Home?” Military Occupation of Land in Sri Lanka Copyright © 2018 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-6231-36642 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org OCTOBER 2018 ISBN: 978-1-6231-36642 “Why Can’t We Go Home?” Military Occupation of Land in Sri Lanka Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Land Occupation by State Security Forces ................................................................................. 3 Post-Conflict Occupation of Land ..............................................................................................4 “Land Grabs” for Profit .............................................................................................................. 5 Flaws in the Release, Resettlement, and Reparation Processes.................................................. 5 Need for Justice and Reparations .............................................................................................. 7 Methodology...................................................................................................................... 9 I. Armed Conflict and Occupation of Land ...........................................................................10 Land Occupation During the War ............................................................................................. 10 Aftermath of the War and Militarization ................................................................................... 12 New Government and Promised Reform .................................................................................. 14 Humanitarian and Political Aspects ........................................................................................ 17 Protests .................................................................................................................................. 19 II. Cases of Land Occupation by Security Forces During the Armed Conflict ........................21 Partial or Stalled Release of Land ............................................................................................ 22 Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu district ....................................................................................... 22 Mullikulam, Mannar District ............................................................................................. 24 Konapalam IDP Camp (Welfare Center), Jaffna District ....................................................... 27 Iranatheevu, Kilinochchi District ...................................................................................... 28 J/Nadeswara College, Kankesanthurai, Jaffna District ....................................................... 30 Sampur, Trincomalee District ............................................................................................ 31 Failure to Release Land or Property ......................................................................................... 32 Pallimunai, Mannar District .............................................................................................. 32 Silavathurai, Mannar District ............................................................................................ 33 Sannar, Mannar District .................................................................................................... 35 House in Kuchchaveli Town, Trincomalee District .............................................................. 36 III. Cases of Post-Conflict Land Occupation by Security Forces .......................................... 37 Panama, Ampara District .................................................................................................. 37 Ashraf Nagar, Ampara District .......................................................................................... 40 Karamalaiootru, Trincomalee District ................................................................................ 41 Vattuwan, Mullaitivu District ............................................................................................ 42 IV. “Land Grabs” for Profit ................................................................................................ 44 Shops, Eateries, and Farms ..................................................................................................... 44 Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 46 Case of Panama ...................................................................................................................... 47 Leasing Land ......................................................................................................................... 48 V. Willful Destruction of Property ...................................................................................... 49 Private Properties .................................................................................................................. 49 Pilakudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu ............................................................................................. 49 Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu ......................................................................................... 50 Places of Worship ................................................................................................................... 52 St. Anthony’s Church, Tellippallai ..................................................................................... 52 Pillayar Kovil, Urani .......................................................................................................... 53 Buddhist temple, Panama ................................................................................................ 53 Mosque, Karamalaiootru .................................................................................................. 54 Construction of a Buddhist Temple on a Hindu Temple Site, Myliddy ................................. 56 VI. Mapping Land Occupation ........................................................................................... 57 Land Occupation by Multiple State Actors ............................................................................... 59 VII. Problems Implementing Land Releases ...................................................................... 61 Partial Releases ...................................................................................................................... 61 Inadequate Resettlement Assistance ..................................................................................... 62 Determining Land Title ............................................................................................................ 65 Relocation ............................................................................................................................. 66 VIII. Domestic and International Law ................................................................................ 70 Emergency Regulations ........................................................................................................... 72 Land Acquisition Act ............................................................................................................... 72 Legal Solutions to Post-War Land Issues ................................................................................. 73 Legal Challenges .................................................................................................................... 74 Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 76 To the Government of Sri Lanka including the President and Prime Minister ............................ 76 To the Office of Reparations .................................................................................................... 77 To the Military ........................................................................................................................ 77 To Law Enforcement Authorities .............................................................................................. 78 To the Ministry of Lands .......................................................................................................... 78 To the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development, and Hindu Religious Affairs .................................................................................................................................... 78 To Private Companies and Investors ........................................................................................ 79