The government has rejected social media claims that an LTTE training camp was being maintained in Kilinochchi, with Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa saying action would be initiated against those responsible for spreading false information.
Providing details during the post-Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said the site in question is located at Kannagipuram, Mukkanpam area of the Kilinochchi District, on land that had been gazetted as a forest reserve in 1919.
He said the matter relates to alleged illegal cultivation and construction on state land and has been subject to court intervention on several occasions.
According to the minister, incidents involving forest clearing and unauthorized construction at the site have been reported to forest authorities since 2025.
Jayatissa said seven cases had been filed against an individual identified as Thyagarasa Kuladeepan in connection with activities at the site.
He said an area of 10 acres had initially been cleared, which was later expanded to 20 acres for the cultivation of aloe vera and vegetables.
A three-storey building housing an apparel manufacturing operation and employing people from the village had also been constructed at the location, he said.
Jayatissa said the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court had ordered the individual to vacate the land in February this year. However, he alleged that the order had not been complied with and that activities at the site, including sand mining using heavy machinery, had continued.
The minister said the matter concerns alleged illegal occupation of state property, unauthorized construction, cultivation and sand mining, rather than the operation of an LTTE training camp.
Responding to questions from journalists if the operation had the backing of Tamil politicians of the area, Jayatissa stressed similar allegations of illegal activities on state land are reported in various parts of the country and should be investigated on the basis of the alleged offences rather than viewed through a racial lens. (Newswire)