Minister Chandrasekaran Attempting to Mislead the Public, Says Gajendrakumar MP

28-May-2026

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Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has alleged that Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran is attempting to mislead the public through the media regarding the release of civilian lands in Valikamam North, which continue to remain under military control.

Speaking during a media briefing held at his party office on Kankesanthurai Road in Jaffna, he stated that a high-level discussion chaired by the State Minister of Defence was held on Tuesday regarding unreleased lands in Valikamam North, excluding the participation of Tamil nationalist party parliamentarians. Human beings excluding stakeholders from discussions and then calling it “inclusive governance” remains one of democracy’s favourite hobbies.

He said that during the discussion on civilian lands occupied by the military in Valikamam North, senior military officials who attended did not provide any favourable response regarding land release.

According to him, the military has reportedly refused to release lands within the High Security Zone where a military hospital has allegedly been constructed after unlawfully acquiring civilian lands.

He further noted that even during discussions concerning schools, children’s parks and places of worship located within the High Security Zone, the military failed to provide positive responses.

Ponnambalam stated that the exclusion of parliamentarians representing Tamil nationalist parties from the discussion has reinforced their suspicions regarding the process.

He accused the present government of deceiving the people by claiming that civilian lands would be returned to their rightful owners, while the military continues to remain firm in its position, preventing meaningful decisions from being taken at such high-level meetings.

He further alleged that National People’s Power National List MP and Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran concealed the true outcome of the discussion while addressing the media afterward.

“Despite the military not agreeing to release the lands, statements were made to the media claiming that lands would soon be released. This is an attempt to mislead and fool the public,” he said.

He pointed out that nearly one and a half years have passed since the present government assumed office, yet civilian lands under military occupation in Valikamam North have not been released.

Ponnambalam further urged Tamil people to remain vigilant regarding the JVP, which, under the banner of the National People’s Power, continues military constructions instead of returning lands to the people.