Extensive deforestation in dense forest opposite Murikandy Pillaiyar Temple for military housing
06-Nov-2026.
A large extent of dense forest opposite Murikandy Pillaiyar Temple in the Oddusuddan Divisional Secretariat Division of Mullaitivu District has reportedly been cleared to establish military housing facilities.
Raising concerns over the selective enforcement of forest conservation laws, Vanni District Parliamentarian Durairasa Ravikaran of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi questioned how the Forest Department, which imposes restrictions on the public and development projects, had permitted extensive deforestation for military housing.
He made these remarks during the adjournment debate on a motion concerning the protection of forests and wildlife in Parliament on November 4.
The motion was welcome, he said, adding that the relevant departments should be provided with qualified personnel, modern technology and vehicles. However, he stressed that the benefits of these resources should also reach the people of the Vanni region.
He pointed out that wild elephant attacks continued to claim human lives in Mullaitivu. Although compensation was provided for deaths and property damage, residents faced difficulties in obtaining compensation for damage to crops, including coconut plantations. He called for these issues to be addressed without delay.
He further emphasised that the success of measures to address human-elephant conflict should be assessed by the reduction in human casualties and property damage rather than the length of electric fences erected.
Accusing the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation of being used by the Government as instruments of a structured process of Tamil genocide in the Tamil homeland, including Mullaitivu, he said their activities went beyond their legitimate responsibilities.
He stressed that ensuring access to water and food within their natural habitats was essential to controlling human-elephant conflict.
"In the Vanni alone, 457 tanks remain unrepaired. The two departments concerned are major obstacles to their restoration," he said.
He also questioned why the departments, which had raised objections to waste management projects in Thunukkai, a hospital waste incineration facility in Karaituraipattu and an industrial park in Oddusuddan, had permitted the destruction of the forest opposite Murikandy Pillaiyar Temple for military housing.
"While these departments invoke 108 laws to restrict the public and development activities, why do they fail to enforce the same laws against the armed forces? Even Google Maps clearly reveals this deforestation. How can the Sri Lankan Government turn a blind eye to it? If the law is equal for everyone, are members of the armed forces exempt under your Government?" he asked.
