Tamil politicians and local residents intervened earlier this week to stop an unlawful attempt by Sri Lankan police officers to seize state land near the occupying Omanthai Police Station for the construction of a Buddhist vihara.
At approximately 12 PM on Tuesday, police personnel began clearing and fencing off a disputed plot of land along the A9 highway near the police station. The site, that the security forces claim to be state-owned but subject to competing claims of private ownership, had already been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks.
Concerns over the land were formally raised during a recent Divisional Secretariat Coordinating Committee meeting, where local representatives submitted objections and requested that the police halt all encroachment. In response, the Divisional Secretary issued a written directive prohibiting any development activity on the site.
Despite this order, police officers reportedly resumed clearing work, prompting immediate resistance.
A delegation of local leaders, including Vavuniya Urban Council Chairman S. Kandeepan, Vavuniya South Tamil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman P. Balendran, Vavuniya North Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman S. Sanjuthan, Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) District Organiser S. Thavapalan, TELO Youth Wing leader and former Provincial Council member S. Mayooran, and other urban and local council members, arrived at the location and demanded that the police cease operations and vacate the premises. The officers temporarily withdrew.
The delegation then proceeded to the occupying Omanthai Police Station for direct talks with the Officer-in-Charge, who denied any intention to construct a Buddhist vihara. He claimed the land had been under police control since 2009 and that the recent activity was simply to refurbish the area for “field-related purposes,” not for erecting any permanent structures.
Despite these assurances, fencing operations reportedly continued at the site even after the crowd dispersed. Local representatives expressed scepticism over the police’s explanation and reiterated their determination to resist any future attempts to seize or build on the land.
However, those present firmly stated that they would not permit the unlawful occupation of the land under any pretext and warned that continued attempts to seize the land would be met with ongoing protest.
The incident has heightened tensions in the Vavuniya region, where Tamils have repeatedly accused Sri Lankan state forces of using state land claims to facilitate demographic change and establish Buddhist religious structures in Tamil areas.