President directs release of 1,099 acres of State land used by Army for farming

In addition to the ongoing process of releasing private and State lands in the north and east, hitherto being used by the Army with no impact on national security needs, President Maithripala Sirisena has directed further to release State lands, being used as Army farms in those provinces without delay. Accordingly, 1,099 acres of State land in the Northern Province used as Army farms have been identified for release within a short period.

They are:

a. A total of 194 acres, belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in Jayapuram North Grama Niladhari Division of the Punakari Divisional Secretariat in Kilinochchi District (Nachchikuda)

b. Another land of 285 acres, belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in Jayapuram North Grama Niladhari Division of the Punakari Divisional Secretariat in Kilinochchi District (Nachchikuda)

c. A total of 120 acres, belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in Udayarkattukulam Grama Niladhari Division of the Puthukudiyrippu Divisional Secretariat in Mullaittivu District

d. 500 acres out of a total of 600 in acreage, belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in Wellankulam Grama Niladhari Division of the Manthai West Divisional Secretariat in Mannar District

In the second week of January 2019, documents pertaining to the release of these land plots are scheduled to be formally delivered to the District Secretary for Kilinochchi, District Secretary for Mullaitivu and the District Secretary for Mannar during a brief ceremony, headed by the Governor of the Northern Province.

Second phase of land release in east begins