Deputy Minister of Defence Chairs Progress Review Meeting on Jaffna Land Restitution Process

A progress review meeting on ongoing initiatives concerning the state owned and privately owned lands currently used by the security forces in Jaffna and Palaly areas was held on 24 Jun at the Parliament Complex.

The meeting, which served as a follow up discussion to previous deliberations on land related matters, was jointly chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Mr. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Mr. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

The meeting reviewed ongoing progress and discussed ways to speed up Government efforts to resolve land ownership grievances, support socio economic growth, and streamline infrastructure development in coordination with regional administrative mechanisms. These initiatives are key to the national reconciliation process and community resettlement in the region.
During the meeting, special attention was given to several key matters, including the finalization of boundary realignments, expediting compensation procedures, and prioritizing identified land plots for future return to their rightful owners.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister of Defence highlighted observations from his recent field visit to several key locations across the Jaffna Peninsula last month, which primarily focused on land currently used by the security forces.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for relevant state stakeholders to discuss prevailing challenges and identify practical measures to further expedite the process while ensuring effective coordination among all concerned institutions. Additionally, it was agreed that the release of relevant lands to the rightful owners would be finalized by the National Security Council (NSC).

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Commanders of Army and Air Force, Jaffna District Secretary, senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, senior Army and Air Force Officers, and officials representing relevant state institutions were also present at the meeting.