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.