A record 683 acres of land released to the Jaffna people

In line with the Government’s policy of releasing civilians’ land, hitherto used by Jaffna Security Forces, the Sri Lanka Army without compromising national security interests, released a record 683 acres of land in the Tellippalai Divisional Secretariat area to 964 legal owners during a ceremony held last Friday (13 April) in the same location under the auspices of the Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake and the Jaffna District Secretary Jaffna Nagalingam Vedanayagam.

The release of those lands for the last two  months, following an initiative taken by the Army itself, has however not necessitated either the removal or shifting of any security formation operating in the said portion of the land in Tellippalai, Palali.

Release of lands, organized by the Security Force Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J) under the guidance of Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna Commander Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi took place as a New Year bonanza on the eve of the Sinhala & Tamil New Year. The gesture, organized jointly by Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, District Secretariat for Jaffna and the SFHQ-J, was attended by a large gathering of people, including the beneficiaries.

Friday’s release of 683 more acres of the Palali Army Camp area, the biggest chunk of land released to the Jaffna public on a single day, adds a historic chapter to the Government’s ongoing projects of reconciliation and ethnic harmony.

The Army Commander formally gave away documents pertaining to the release of lands to the District Secretary who was present there.

The Commander, SF-J, state officials, land recipients and members of the public in the area attended the occasion.