Army complete construction of 'model village' for displaced people

The Sri Lankan military has completed the construction of what it calls a "model village", built for Tamils who were displaced from nearby Keppapilavu village after the army forced them out.
Sri Lanka Army Engineers and troops serving under the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) officially completed the construction of 287 new houses at "Keppapilavu Model Village", in the Mullaithivu District, with the ceremonial opening of the remaining 19 homes and a new medical centre on February 25.
"On the directions of Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army, both 592 Brigade Commander and 59 Division General Officer Commanding actively coordinated the mega Housing Project, meant for displaced civilians who remained temporarily housed at Manik Farm Relief Centre, Pilakudiyirippu, Suriyapuram, Seniyamottai, Jaffna Allarai and Keppapilavu areas after they had lost their homes in the war against terrorists before May 2009," the army reported.
Keppappilavu villagers have been living in the "model village", developed by the Ministry for Resettlement, because according to the ministry they "could not be resettled in their land due to their land in the village being required for the Security Force Headquarters in Mullaitivu."

The model village was inaugurated by LTTE defector and former deputy resettlement minister Karuna in March 2013.