235 Acres Returned to Jaffna Farmers

The Sri Lanka Army handed over another 235 acres situated in the Palaly High Security Zone back to its owners during a brief ceremony on 22 March 2024. The event was graced by His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

A distinguished gathering, including Members of Parliament, Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Tri-Service Senior Officers and Government Officials, were present during the occasion.

The day's chief guest planted a banana sapling on the released land, symbolizing the commencement of the agriculture sector modernization project. He also planted another tamarind sapling symbolizing the visit to the Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J) area.

During the event, Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, the Commander of Security Forces - Jaffna, handed over the official document of the released land to HE the President and subsequently to the Acting District Secretary, Mr. M. Piratheepan.

Additionally, 20 families out of a total of 327 families symbolically received their official documents from HE the President to begin farming and plantations on the released land plots.

Afterwards, His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) premises. Towards the end, the Commander of Security Forces - Jaffna presented a special memento to HE the President. Prior to leaving the premises, HE the President left some complimentary remarks in the visitors' book.