Northern and Eastern lands identified for release are to be returned faster under presidential orders while national security needs remain protected.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered security forces to accelerate the release of Northern and Eastern lands identified as suitable for return to their rightful users.
The directive covers land taken over by defence forces during the war and subsequently identified as releasable.
The President issued the instructions during a special discussion at the Parliament Complex. The meeting focused on speeding up the return of private land acquired for military camps during the conflict.
Officials also discussed state-owned land that local people had previously used and which could now be returned for public use.
Northern and Eastern Lands to Be Released While Protecting Security
President Dissanayake stressed that national security must remain a primary consideration when deciding which areas can be released.
He said responsibility for identifying strategic locations needed for military camps rests with the security establishment. This includes the tri-forces and the police.
However, he also called for quick and clear decisions based on those technical and security assessments.
Authorities must formally determine which lands remain essential for security purposes and which can safely return to the public.
The President instructed security officials to release the maximum possible extent of land.
At the same time, he asked them to consider the welfare and aspirations of affected communities when identifying areas that security forces must continue to retain.
Land Release to Be Linked With Livelihood Development
The discussion went beyond simply restoring occupancy of Northern and Eastern lands.
Officials also examined how to rebuild the economic strength of people displaced for long periods.
The President stressed the need to create sustainable livelihood opportunities alongside the land-release programme.
Accordingly, he instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to accelerate plans for agricultural development in those areas.
The proposed initiatives will use modern agricultural technology aimed at achieving higher productivity and providing stable income opportunities for communities receiving land.
Senior Political and Defence Officials Join Discussion
Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar attended the meeting alongside Deputy Minister of Defence Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara.
Several parliamentary representatives from the Northern and Eastern Provinces also participated.
Other officials included Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara and Defence Ministry Secretary Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyyakontha.
Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe also attended.
The Commissioner General of Lands, commanders of the tri-forces and several senior defence officials participated as well.
The Government’s approach will therefore combine accelerated land releases with security assessments and livelihood development, with the President calling for the maximum possible land to be returned without compromising national security.
