Sri Lanka is witnessing renewed tensions over land rights in the northern district of Mullaitivu, where Tamil communities allege that their private lands are being illegally seized for salt pan construction. Durairasa Ravikaran, Member of Parliament for the Tamil Arasu Party, has formally written to the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority, the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Lands, demanding an immediate halt to the encroachments by Sinhala traders on privately owned Tamil lands in Kokkuthoduvai.
In his letter, titled “Regarding the illegal construction of salt pans on private lands,” MP Ravikaran detailed how the Mahaweli Authority allegedly leased private Tamil lands in the Kunjukalveli area of Kokkuthoduvai Madhi Grama Aluvala division to traders from southern Sri Lanka. According to his account, the primary trader holding this lease has encroached on the lands and begun constructing a salt pan, creating a climate of communal tension and anxiety within the local Tamil population. Ravikaran stressed that these actions have undermined public confidence in both the government and state administration, while causing significant mental anguish among residents.
The encroached lands include private properties and grazing areas maintained by the Surveyor General, located in the Kokkuthoduvai Matthi Grama Aluvala Divisional Area under the Karaithuraipattu Divisional Secretariat Division. MP Ravikaran claims that leasing these lands for industrial use directly contravenes the country’s current legal framework, and he has called for swift intervention to prevent further illegal activities. The construction of salt pans on these lands, he argues, threatens the livelihoods and traditional practices of the local Tamil community and risks inflaming ethnic tensions in the region.
MP Ravikaran personally visited the affected area on February 27, 2026, to verify complaints from the community. His observations confirmed that salt pan construction had already begun on the disputed lands. Following his visit, a meeting was held the same day at the Mullaitivu District Secretariat under the chairmanship of the District Secretary. During the meeting, it was agreed that the Mahaweli Authority would be instructed to suspend construction until the next District Coordination Committee meeting.
Despite these assurances, reports indicate that construction resumed on March 6, 2026, without prior notice or consultation with local stakeholders. MP Ravikaran highlighted that the unilateral resumption of work exacerbates tensions and erodes trust in government institutions, calling the situation “a matter of great concern.” He urged authorities to take immediate action to stop the unauthorized salt pan development and protect the private property rights of the Tamil residents.
The controversy over salt pans in Kokkuthoduvai reflects broader historical sensitivities around land ownership and ethnic relations in Sri Lanka. Northern Tamil communities have long expressed concern over encroachments and land acquisition by external actors, especially in areas where traditional livelihoods and agricultural practices are central to local identity. Experts note that disputes over land leases, particularly when they involve state institutions and cross-regional actors, can quickly escalate into broader communal tensions if not addressed transparently and legally.
The Mahaweli Authority, which manages water resources and irrigation infrastructure, has come under scrutiny for its alleged role in facilitating leases without adequately consulting affected communities. MP Ravikaran’s intervention signals mounting pressure on central and regional authorities to enforce property rights and ensure equitable treatment for minority communities. The government’s response in the coming days will likely be critical in determining whether tensions in Kokkuthoduvai are defused or further inflamed.
Community leaders have voiced alarm over the continued construction, emphasizing that the lands in question have been owned and used by Tamil families for generations. Many residents fear that if the salt pan development continues unchecked, it will not only disrupt local livelihoods but also set a precedent for further encroachments in other Tamil-dominated areas.
