The East Coast Sea Aborigines are a marginalized group living along the coastline from Muthur in Trincomalee to Vakarai in Batticaloa. Following military conflicts in the area, particularly the Mavilaru humanitarian operation in 2006, many people from villages, including Santhoshpuram, were forced to leave. When they returned in 2009, the government allocated 200 acres of land in Muthur Karakadachenai Santhoshpuram for a coal project, while the Sampur area was designated as a protected zone.Due to strong opposition from the Dravidian community, the coal plant was canceled during a government focused on good governance, and some lands in the Sampur area were released. However, some lands were still taken away and designated as a safe zone. Reports indicate that these lands have now been leased to an Indian company for a solar power project.
According to local residents, the 200 acres taken by the government during the war contain many of their homes, temples, lakes, and rice fields. They claim that no inquiries were conducted regarding the land acquisition, and justice has yet to be served for those who lost their land. Although alternative land is sometimes provided for those affected by such expropriation, after 15 years, no solution has been found for the people of the Sampur area who lost their land.
Chethana Gomis
