10th March 2024 21:40:16 Hours
In a ceremony held at the District Secretariat Auditorium, Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Army returned ownership of lands to rightful owners in the Jaffna peninsula on 10 March 2024. This marks the 24th consecutive release of lands previously occupied by the military.
A total of 109.56 acres were returned, including five plots in Jaffna District and seven in Kilinochchi District. Currently, only 0.54% of lands remains occupied by the military, deemed essential for maintaining normalcy and security in the area. Official documents, related to 109.56 acres of land were thus handed over to District Secretaries of Jaffna and Kilinochchi symbolically who afterwards delivered them to respective Divisional Secretaries for necessary onward formalities.
The release of lands is part of an ongoing effort by the Sri Lankan government to return occupied lands to their rightful owners. The process is carried out under the guidance of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu and the supervision of the Commander of the Security Forces - Jaffna, Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc.
Hon. Sagala Rathnayake, the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, participated in this historical event as the Chief Guest. Hon Douglas Devananda (MP), Senior Military Officers, overlooking District Secretaries of Jaffna and Kilinochchi, and government officials of both districts were present during the ceremony.
