President instructs release of identified North and East lands

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed security forces to expedite the release and return of lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces that were taken over during the past war period and are identified as releasable to the relevant parties.

The President issued these instructions during a discussion held at the Parliament complex regarding accelerating the release of private lands acquired to establish military camps during the war period, as well as state-owned lands used by the public in the Northern and Eastern provinces, back to the relevant parties.

Pointing out the importance of national security, the President stated that deciding the locations where military camps should be established for national security is the responsibility of the security forces, including the tri-forces and police, according to a statement issued by the President's Media Division.

Based on that, the President instructed the relevant sectors to arrive at a final decision regarding the lands that can and cannot be released.