President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has 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 held at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday on expediting the release and return to the relevant parties 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.

The President emphasised 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-centred approach when determining the extent of land that is essential for security purposes and to release the maximum possible area of land that can be returned to the public. He also stressed the need to provide livelihood opportunities for the people alongside the return of their lands.

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

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says investigations have conclusively established that claims circulated on social media alleging the existence of an LTTE training camp and bomb-manufacturing facility within the Palai Reserve were completely false and intended to mislead the public.

Addressing the issue, the Minister said the allegations relate to a property located in the Kanagarayankulam area, where approximately 10 acres of land had been cleared and developed by an individual identified as Thiyagarasa. According to the findings, the site contains fencing, a multi-storey building measuring roughly 32 feet by 32 feet and a garment manufacturing operation equipped with 20 industrial sewing machines operating on the first and second floors.

The Minister said aloe vera and vegetable cultivation are being carried out on the land, while local residents are employed at the facility. The enterprise, known as “Nature Farming,” has been registered as a business operation.

Investigations revealed that the land under cultivation had subsequently expanded from 10 acres to approximately 21 acres. It was this farm that later became the subject of widespread allegations on social media claiming that an LTTE training camp and bomb factory were functioning at the location while the Government remained silent.

According to Wijepala, those allegations were used to portray the individual who publicised the claims as someone who had uncovered a major national security threat, while simultaneously attempting to mislead society and sow divisions among communities.

However, the investigation also uncovered separate legal issues relating to the property itself. The Minister said authorities found that the farm had been established on forest reserve land and that the Department of Forest Conservation had already initiated legal proceedings against Thiyagarasa and four others connected to the operation.

He stated that the suspects had initially been released on bail of Rs. 500,000 and that a court had subsequently issued an order preventing them from entering the disputed land. According to the Minister, the suspects later filed a motion before court and succeeded in having the restriction lifted. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for August 25.

Wijepala noted that the Government and forest authorities maintain that the land is State property situated within a protected forest area, while the owner claims that it belongs to a relative.

The Minister also outlined a series of additional legal actions relating to the site. On March 13, 2026, forest officers reportedly discovered stocks of timber, including kaluwara, palu, weera, milla and burutha wood, allegedly being stored without permits or official markings. Legal action was subsequently initiated.

A further case was filed after officers allegedly found additional adjoining forest areas being cleared, while another legal action was instituted after authorities reported that an additional 11 acres beyond the original 10-acre site had also been cleared.

According to Wijepala, one court ordered the cancellation of bail previously granted to the suspect and remanded him for 14 days. The suspect has since filed an appeal, claiming the land is private property.

The Minister further stated that Special Task Force officers who visited the site following intelligence reports were allegedly obstructed by the landowners, resulting in another case being filed for obstructing public officials in the discharge of their duties.

Wijepala said that despite the existence of seven separate legal actions relating to the property, an individual later circulated a video suggesting that the site contained an LTTE training camp and bomb-manufacturing facility.

According to the Minister, the claims were made during a media briefing held in Colombo by Sangeeth Jayasekara, who identified himself as the Executive Director of the Intercontinental Human Rights Commission.

Following the allegations, the Terrorism Investigation Division launched an investigation and conducted extensive field inquiries in the area. Those investigations, Wijepala said, found no evidence whatsoever of an LTTE training camp or bomb factory.

“The investigation clearly established that this is not an LTTE training base or a bomb manufacturing facility. What exists there is a farm operation,” the Minister said.

He added that authorities believe the false claims were deliberately spread through social media in an attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary social tension.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that Sri Lanka could face serious challenges in meeting its foreign debt obligations after 2028, arguing that the country’s ability to build sufficient foreign reserves remains one of the most pressing economic issues facing the nation.

Speaking on August 18, Wickremesinghe recalled that Sri Lanka (under his presidency)had successfully negotiated with creditors to postpone debt repayments until 2028, but stressed that those obligations would eventually have to be settled.

According to the former President, the country is expected to maintain foreign reserves of approximately USD 14.7 billion to USD 15 billion, while current reserves remain significantly below that level. He noted that even if the Central Bank succeeds in achieving its target of USD 8 billion in reserves by the end of this year, Sri Lanka would still need to find a further USD 6 billion to reach the desired level.

Wickremesinghe questioned how the country intends to bridge that gap while simultaneously meeting debt repayment obligations estimated at between USD 2 billion and USD 3 billion and raising additional funding through international bond issuances.

He also raised concerns about what happens after the current International Monetary Fund programme concludes at the end of March 2027, questioning whether Sri Lanka intends to enter into another IMF arrangement or pursue an alternative economic path.

Maintaining that debt repayment remains the country’s most important challenge, Wickremesinghe argued that national attention should focus on how Sri Lanka plans to meet its future obligations rather than on constitutional debates or political reforms. He warned that failure to repay external debt could once again push the country into bankruptcy and questioned where the required financing would come from. The suggestion that Sri Lanka may once again face bankruptcy is not a new position from Ranil Wickremesinghe.

For a considerable period, Wickremesinghe’s expectation was that an economic collapse would eventually pave the way for his return to power.

It was under such circumstances that Wickremesinghe became President on 21 July 2022.

At a time when people had taken to the streets demanding the removal of the country’s leaders, Wickremesinghe entered Parliament through a National List seat and was subsequently elected President without directly securing a public mandate.

Before Sri Lanka formally announced on 12 April 2022 that it was suspending foreign debt repayments, there had been ample opportunities for Wickremesinghe to assist the country.

Based on claims frequently made by Wickremesinghe and those around him about his international connections and relationships with world leaders and institutions, he could have intervened to help the country and its people avoid economic collapse.

Several individuals concerned about the country’s future directly appealed to Wickremesinghe to assist Sri Lanka before the economic crisis deepened.

They claim that his response at the time was: “Let it fall a little more.”

Evidence exists to substantiate those remarks.

What, then, did Ranil Wickremesinghe do after assuming power following the country’s economic collapse?

By the time Sri Lanka announced the suspension of debt repayments on 12 April 2022, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana had already initiated key measures aimed at steering the economy back onto a stable path.

After assuming office, Wickremesinghe’s primary action was to place further burdens on the public.

The cost of tax concessions previously granted to close associates was ultimately borne by ordinary citizens.

The long delay in increasing fuel and electricity prices for political reasons resulted in a sudden and heavy burden being imposed on the public when those adjustments eventually became unavoidable.

The prices of essential goods rose sharply.

The burden fell on the people.

Despite the hardship, citizens endured these difficulties with the belief that their sacrifices would help rebuild the country.

What did Wickremesinghe actually do after assuming power while the public continued to bear that burden.

A two-day trip to the United Kingdom that reportedly cost Rs. 16.6 million in public funds.

Wickremesinghe attended events relating to paying final respects to Queen Elizabeth II and later extended congratulations to King Charles III during his coronation.

Between 2022 and 2024, Wickremesinghe undertook 24 foreign visits, accompanied by a total of 324 individuals.

According to figures cited, these overseas trips cost the State Rs. 1,007.346 million.

Those figures, are recorded in Parliamentary Hansard.

Did those foreign trips rebuild the country?

Did they rescue the economy?

If the economy had truly been restored and the people had prospered, Wickremesinghe would have secured victory at the 2024 Presidential Election.

Instead, they note that he finished in third place.

He received 17.27% of the vote.

Why, is Ranil Wickremesinghe once again warning that the country could face bankruptcy?

There may be a reason.

A legal case is currently before court regarding the expenditure of Rs. 16.6 million in public funds on the United Kingdom visit that took place while Sri Lankans were enduring severe economic hardship.

When the case was taken up before the Fort Magistrate’s Court, both Wickremesinghe’s lawyers and the United National Party’s media division reportedly maintained that the trip was undertaken following an official invitation.

In August 2025, the UNP media division publicly released what it described as a letter from the University of Wolverhampton and stated in an official announcement that the visit had been made on an official invitation.

On April 29, 2026, President’s Counsel Tilak Marapana told court that allegations regarding the expenditure required closer examination and disputed claims relating to accommodation, transport and meal costs. He stated that vehicles had been provided by the British Government, that his client had not used them, and argued that the reported costs appeared excessive.

The issue has received renewed attention following reports that information published on the United Kingdom Government website listing official visits by foreign heads of state did not include an official visit by Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 22 and 23, 2023.

That development has prompted fresh questions from over whether the nature of the visit was accurately represented to the public and the courts.

Against that backdrop, Wickremesinghe’s latest warning that Sri Lanka could once again face bankruptcy has become the subject of increasing political debate, while critics claim the remarks coincide with growing scrutiny over his own record in office.

Source:Newsfirst.lk

Jaffna is set to get its tallest residential building with Tilko Blue Ocean Holdings Ltd., signing an agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) for the development of the 78-unit Yarl Royal Palace.

The BOI said the project, located at No. 107, Kandy Road overlooking the historic Old Park, is envisioned to become the tallest residential landmark in Northern Sri Lanka and establish a new benchmark for high-rise residential development in the region.

The development will comprise six levels of car parking, 13 residential floors and 78 residences. The BOI statement did not disclose the investment value, construction timeline or expected completion date.

The BOI described Yarl Royal Palace as a private-sector investment in Jaffna and the wider Northern Province, with economic activity expected across construction, engineering, professional consultancy, building materials, logistics, financial services and property management.

It said the project also seeks to tap Jaffna’s links with the global Tamil diaspora, including communities in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland and Germany, providing overseas families, professionals and investors an opportunity to participate in the city’s property market.

According to the BOI, Jaffna’s entrepreneurial community, professional and educational base, improving infrastructure, urban land and links with the diaspora provide a foundation for further private investment.

The BOI said the emergence of a development of this scale in Jaffna also signals potential for large-scale private investment beyond Sri Lanka’s traditional real estate markets.

Tilko Blue Ocean Holdings said the project reflected its long-term confidence in the economic potential of Northern Sri Lanka and its commitment to further investment in the region.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today (19) held a special meeting with Tamil and Muslim Members of Parliament representing the opposition at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Parliament.

The discussion focused extensively on a range of issues affecting people living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

According to a statement issued by the Opposition Leader’s Media Unit, MPs briefed Premadasa on a number of social, economic, developmental and other regional challenges that continue to impact the daily lives of residents in those areas.

The meeting also explored ways of raising these concerns more extensively in Parliament and the political and legislative interventions required to address the issues faced by communities in the North and East.

Several opposition lawmakers attended the discussion, including Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Rasamanickam Shanakiyan, Thurairasa Ravikaran, Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna and Kader Mastan.