Discussion on Releasing Lands in North &S East

President Chairs Discussion on Releasing Lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the security forces to expedite the release and return of lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces that were taken over during the conflict and have now been identified as no longer required for security purposes.

The President issued these instructions while participating in a discussion at the Parliamentary Complex on expediting the release and return of private lands acquired to establish military camps during the conflict in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, as well as State lands previously used by local communities, to the relevant parties.

The President emphasized that national security remains of paramount importance and that determining where military camps and other security installations are required is the responsibility of the Tri-Forces, the Police and other relevant security authorities. Based on these requirements, he instructed officials to reach a final determination on which lands can be released and which must be retained for security purposes.

The President further instructed officials to adopt a people-centered approach in determining the extent of land essential for security purposes and to release the maximum possible area of land for public use. He also stressed the need to provide livelihood opportunities for the people alongside the return of their lands.

Accordingly, President Dissanayake instructed the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to introduce projects incorporating modern agricultural technologies to achieve higher productivity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Minister of Defense, retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, and people’s representatives from the Northern and Eastern Provinces were also present. Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, the Land Commissioner General, the Commanders of the Tri-Forces and senior officials of the security forces also attended the discussion.