Their main demand was to stop a housing scheme being built with Chinese aid for war displaced in the North and East regions. The scheme aims to build 65,000 houses.

Noting that the these houses are insecure and unsuitable for the region's climate and culture, the protesters call for permanent housing.

Safe water

The protesters also demanded a solution for the drinking water crisis faced by residents of Chunnakam.

Noting that environmentalists have warned two years ago that the area's drinking water was contaminated, they called for a proper programme to provide safe, drinking water for around 13,000 affected families in the area.

Sampur power plant

They also called to halt constructions of the Thermal power plant in Sampur, Trincomalee.

They pointed out that project would lead to major environmental issues in the area, especially affecting agriculture and fishing.

Listing their grievances, the protesters handed over an epistle to the Jaffna GA with the intention of raising these issues before the President.

(Source : BBC Sandeshaya)