The lands of 69 people have been grabbed by the army. Since we were chased out from our lands we have been living here. We live here amidst many problems, the most burning issue is the elephant problem. We have to live in the midst of extreme hardship. It is difficult to come home from work at night and sleep because of elephants. Now we have built a small hut and we are living inside it. Even this hut has been broken by elephants at night. In the past, elephants did not come to this area. Elephants keep coming here now because of the garbage dump. In addition, because of the constant stench in this place, it is very difficult to cook and eat food as well.
There are no safe toilet facilities as well. We also face constant court cases against us which have resulted in many tragedies.
Our demand is that the army should return our lands and leave this place. Only if the army leaves this place, people will be able to come back and live. Only if they settle down, our problems including this elephant problem will be solved. The army turns elephants towards us by chasing them away when elephants come to their areas. We cannot earn a living due to this. We are still living here because we need our land back.
U.T. Suwaitha
Aalim Chenai, Ampara
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