✧. Introduction
The Jaffna Economic Centre in Mattuvil has been ceremonially opened for the third time today. The centre, constructed during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration at a cost of Rs. 198.80 million, was first opened by Mahinda Rajapaksa and Angayan Ramanathan, and later reopened during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s period by Kaathar Mustan and Douglas Devananda. Now, once again, the very same centre has been reopened in the presence of JVP minister Vasantha Samarasinghe and Chandrasekaram.
Yet, all these “opening ceremonies” have been conducted with public funds. At the same time, the agricultural economy of the North-East continues to face destruction, but no politician shows any concern for it.
✦. The Contribution of the North-East to Agriculture – Historical Background
The Northern and Eastern provinces have long been the backbone of Sri Lanka’s agriculture.
︎ They contributed 20.5% of the country’s total domestic agricultural production.
︎ One-third of the total paddy harvest was supplied from the North-East.
︎ In livestock, nearly 60% of the country’s animals were found in the North-East.
Thus, the North-East played a crucial role in national food security, paddy production, and dairy farming.
The Beginning of Land Grabs – Military, State Departments, and Religious Figures
Today, these fertile lands remain largely occupied.
︎ Jaffna, Valikamam North – 2,600 acres under military occupation.
︎ Kankesanthurai – 500 acres of farmland seized and cultivated by the military.
︎ Kilinochchi Vaddukkachchi, Mullaitivu Thera, Mannar Vellankulam, Vavuniya Chettikulam – at least 13 state farms under military control.
︎ Mullaitivu District – 32,110 acres under the Forest Department.
︎ Mullaitivu District – 23,515 acres seized by the Wildlife Department.
︎ Trincomalee, Kuchchaveli – 70,039 acres of farmland taken by the Forest Department.
︎ Similarly, Panamure Thilakawansa Thero and Kalkamuwe Santhabodhi Thero have grabbed hundreds of acres of Tamil farmlands.
In addition, in the Vanni region, 732 agricultural tanks (reservoirs) have been seized by the Forest Department.
✦. Economic Consequences – The Collapse of Farmers’ Livelihoods
These land occupations have devastated the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the North-East.
︎ The military earns around Rs. 15 million annually from farms in Mullaitivu, and Rs. 13 million from farms in Kilinochchi, while local farmers receive nothing.
︎ 370,000 cattle in the Vanni are denied grazing land, collapsing dairy production.
︎ In Batticaloa, Tamil farmers who depended on grazing lands for 300,000 cattle in Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai have been evicted.
As a result, agricultural production is steadily declining, while farmers’ poverty is increasing.
✦. Political Drama – Ceremonies Without Solutions
From Mahinda Rajapaksa to the JVP today, politicians have staged the same drama of wasting public funds on opening ceremonies.
︎ Land occupation, state farm seizures, reservoir takeovers, grazing denial, and even court orders have been ignored.
︎ Even after one year in power, the JVP has failed to bring any solution.
This proves that these events are nothing more than political theatrics.
✦. Market and Import Crises
Traditionally, shallots (small onions) were cultivated three times a year in Jaffna. Today, they are grown only once.
Worse still, the government permitted imports during the very harvest season itself, pushing local farmers into heavy losses.
Furthermore, basic food needs such as rice, milk, vegetables, and onions are now met through imports rather than local production.
✦. Global Shifts – Production-Centred Economies
Across the world today, countries are strengthening their economies through domestic production.
Sri Lanka, however—particularly in the North-East—has completely abandoned local production and has instead embraced an import-dependent model.
This places national food security under a grave threat.
✦. Conclusion:
The North-East agricultural economy once served as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s food production. Today, however, due to military occupation, forest and wildlife department seizures, political neglect, and market failures, the economy has been shattered.
The question remains: will any of these politicians who stage opening ceremonies have the courage to return the seized lands to the rightful farmers?
The truth is: unless the farmlands of the North-East are restored, both national food security and the livelihood rights of the Tamil people will inevitably collapse.
Written by: Eelaththu Nilavan
Tamil National Historian | World Politics, Economics & Military Analyst
02/10/2025
