ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take immediate steps to release military-occupied lands in the Eastern Province and investigate past atrocities committed by the notorious Tripoli Platoon.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Defence, chaired by the President at the parliamentary complex yesterday (20 February), Rasamanickam raised these concerns.

Posting on Facebook, he stated that he had called for an independent investigation into past crimes committed by the Tripoli Platoon—a notorious military unit accused of targeted killings. He requested the formation of a new investigative committee to examine evidence related to these killings. The President reportedly agreed to take immediate steps to address the matter.

The ITAK MP also highlighted concerns over the continued military occupation of lands in Batticaloa and other areas in the East. He reiterated long-standing demands for the release of several military-occupied lands, including the Murakkottan camp, Palayadivattai, Kurukkalmadam, Kayankerni, and Pudur—areas seized by the Air Force. He also called for the return of lands in Thandiadi (where a war memorial cemetery is located), the Kaluwanchikudy Police Station, and state lands in Vakarai that remain under military control.

Rasamanickam stressed that these lands rightfully belong to the people and must be returned without further delay. He urged the President to take swift action, following which Dissanayake assured that a committee would be appointed to address the issue.

The Tripoli platoon is a Sri Lankan army platoon that was being accused of several crimes during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term as Defence Ministry Secretary.