Thread by @PEARL_Action

We're launching the 3rd installment of “Sinhalization of the North-East” series, this time focusing on Seruwila-Verugal. Our series examines the scope + impact of the state-sponsored Sinhalization and militarization of the traditional Tamil homeland.

Read:bit.ly/2QbIzNY

The Trincomalee District is a historically majority Tamil-speaking region, with a significant presence of the indigenous Veddah. The southern part of the Trincomalee district, Kottiyarpattu, has been subjected to state-sponsored colonization for decades.

The 1951 Allai irrigation scheme saw the establishment of Sinhala colonies in what’s now mostly in the Seruwila division. The scheme eventually altered the demographics of the region significantly. Existing Tamil and Muslim villages also saw their names changed to Sinhala names.

The establishment of irrigation and development schemes is thought to be a pretext to state-sponsored colonisation and a deliberate re-engineering of the demographics of the region.

Buddhisization: Some of the new Sinhala villages were formed around archaeological sites, which have been developed into Buddhist temples in recent times. Each settlement had a Buddhist temple built within it, with the resident monks the most important leaders in the community.

Take for example, the village of Ilankaithurai Muhaththuvaram (name changed to Sinhala, Lanka Patuna) in Verugal. It is the site of the ancient Kunjumappa Periyasamy Temple worshipped by Tamil-speaking Veddah and Tamils since ancient times, according to locals.

When villagers returned after war-related displacement in 2008, they found several Hindu temples destroyed, including the Veddah’s traditional place of worship on the hill. A large Buddha statue and a new temple constructed by the army was found in its place.

Before vs. After:

Around 7km south of Ilankaiththurai lies the village of Kallady. The Sri Malai Neeliyamman temple, belonging to Tamil people, was demolished and replaced by a Buddhist temple - after the area was taken over by the military.

Neeliyamman temple (> 30 yrs ago) vs. Now (2020):

Militarization: There are at least: 7 military installations in the Seruwila-Verugal area, with at least 3 navy camps and 4 army installations. The Civil Security Department also has at least one camp.

7 acres of land belonging to Tamils have been taken and turned into a naval camp near Verugal Muhaththuvaram. Although the landowners have the necessary documentation, their land has not been returned.

The SL state is continuing its project of Sinhalizing the Trincomalee district in this area. In the Verugal Division especially, fear of the military occupation of land and anger at Buddhist occupation of Tamil places of worship is increasing.

Learn more: bit.ly/2QbIzNY