Dates: 13–14 May 2026
Locations: Keppapilavu (Mullaitivu), Karachchi (Kilinochchi) and Nedunkeni (Vavuniya), Northern Province, Sri Lanka

The Eastern Province Land Recovery Network conducted a joint field visit and solidarity discussions on land rights with representatives from the Northern and Central Provinces on 13 and 14 May 2026. The initiative brought together land rights activists, civil society organizations, people affected by land grabbing, political representatives and community leaders to discuss shared challenges and strengthen collective action for land recovery across the North and East.

The discussions focused on the need to expand the land recovery network into the Northern Province, strengthen cooperation among affected communities, and establish a coordinated North–East initiative to protect land rights and pursue the recovery of lands taken from their rightful owners.

Day One: Discussions in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi – 13 May 2026

On 13 May, the joint field visit and solidarity discussions took place in two locations. The first meeting was held in the morning in Keppapilavu, Mullaitivu District, followed by an evening discussion at the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha Hall in Kilinochchi District.

Land rights activists representing the Eastern Province participated in the discussions, including representatives working on land issues in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts. The meetings also brought together people affected by land grabbing in Mullaitivu, Keppapilavu, Kokkuthoduvai, Vattuvagal and Vattappalai, alongside civil society representatives, social activists and political representatives.

In Kilinochchi, the Chairman and members of the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha, civil society activists, community leaders and other stakeholders joined the discussion, contributing their perspectives on land-related challenges and the need for collective action.

Participants exchanged views on the experiences of communities affected by land grabbing and emphasized the importance of solidarity between the Northern and Eastern Provinces. A key demand raised during the discussions was to extend the Eastern Province Land Recovery Network's work into the Northern Province so that affected communities could work together more effectively to address land issues.

Day Two: Land Rights Solidarity Discussion in Nedunkeni, Vavuniya – 14 May 2026

On 14 May, the joint field visit and solidarity discussions continued in the Nedunkeni area of Vavuniya District.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Vavuniya North Pradeshiya Sabha, district-level civil society organizations, people affected by land grabbing, social activists and other stakeholders. Land rights activists from Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee represented the Eastern Province, while affected communities, civil society representatives and political representatives from Vavuniya District also participated.

The discussion reinforced the need to expand the land recovery network into the Northern Province and highlighted the importance of united action by people across the North and East to protect their land rights.

Participants put forward ideas and proposals for coordinated future action through a proposed North–East Land Recovery Task Force. The discussions explored how activists and affected communities could work together to strengthen advocacy, coordinate activities and pursue the recovery of lands taken from communities.

The meeting also raised the idea of declaring 14 May as the beginning of a united initiative to protect the land rights of people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Building a United North–East Land Rights Movement

The two-day field visit and discussions provided an opportunity for land rights activists and affected communities from different districts to share experiences, identify common concerns and consider ways to strengthen cooperation.

The proposal to expand the network into the Northern Province and work collectively through a North–East Land Recovery Task Force reflects the participants' expressed commitment to a more coordinated approach to land recovery and the protection of land rights.

By bringing together community members, civil society organizations, political representatives and activists, the initiative sought to strengthen solidarity among people facing land-related challenges and encourage sustained collective action for land rights across the Northern and Eastern Provinces.