A dedicated permanent office will be set up soon to formalise the efforts of returning the lands in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the North and the East back to the rightful original owners.
The office will be set up on the instructions of National Security Adviser and the President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.
Ratnayaka has directed Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva to set up a dedicated office to address this issue, ensuring the preservation of national security and preventing any injustice towards the rightful owners of these lands.
By 2009, when the war ended, the Security Forces had acquired over 23,850 acres of land belonging to the people.
However, as of the beginning of this year, a significant portion of that land, amounting to about 20,755 acres had been successfully returned to its previous owners.
An additional 106 acres of land were released in February this year. Government sources have identified a substantial area of 2,989 acres for future release to the people.
It was emphasised that after addressing any potential security concerns, the Government remains committed to releasing the identified land to its rightful owners.
The setting up of this office will facilitate the creation of a formal system that ensures the smooth and secure release of lands to the people.
The primary objective is to implement a process that minimises any potential challenges or disruptions to those involved and the nation’s overall security.