Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Thomas Sounderanayagam has visited final battlefield in Mullaitheevu for the first time since the war ended.

Bishop Savundaranayagam, who visited the war zone on January 29, said that churches, houses and buildings in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu districts have been badly damaged during the recent war.

“We have seen public properties and vehicles damaged during the final battle between the LTTE and the army are scattered all over the places. Almost all the buildings are damaged and they are without roofs,” he said after returning from a conducted tour to these areas.

A team of five priests including the Bishop was allowed to visit Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu district last week.

Rt Rev Thomas Sounderanayagam said on the instruction of the commander in charge of Mullaithivu, army officials took them round the places.

“In Thanniyootru and Mulliyawalai area, we saw a large number of abandoned motor vehicles was parked in rows,” he said, adding, military officials have collected these vehicles and stacked in one place.

Military officials told him that these vehicles are under the custody of the Government Agent of the area, and will be handed over to the owners once they will produce proper documents.

The bishop said rebuilding lives in the area was an “unbearable burden” on the people there. The land has gone barren.