October 22, Colombo (LNW): Approximately 6.97 acres of land in Keppapilavu, in the Mullaitivu District, have been released for public use after previously being utilised by the security forces, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The land was formally handed over by representatives of the Sri Lanka Army’s 59th Division to the Divisional Secretary of Maritimepattu, marking another step in the Government’s ongoing process of returning land occupied or used by the military to civilian authorities and the public.
Mullaitivu District Secretary and Government Agent A. Umamaheswaran was present at the handover ceremony, which formalised the transfer of the land for public use.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the release forms part of the Government’s broader policy of progressively returning land held by the security forces to its rightful owners and making such properties available for civilian purposes wherever possible.
The policy, however, allows for the retention of land considered necessary for essential national security requirements, with the Government maintaining that security needs must be taken into account when determining which areas can be released.
The latest handover is significant for Keppapilavu, an area in the Northern Province where questions surrounding land previously used by the military have been part of wider discussions about civilian access, land ownership and post-war recovery.
Following the transfer, District Secretary Umamaheswaran expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, the Commander of the 59th Division, security authorities and the government officials involved in facilitating the process.
He acknowledged the cooperation extended by the relevant institutions, which helped make the release possible, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The Government’s continued land-release programme remains an important aspect of efforts to restore civilian access to land in areas previously used for military purposes, while balancing those efforts against locations deemed necessary for national security.
The Ministry has reiterated that land will continue to be considered for release in accordance with the Government’s policy, subject to the security requirements of the country.
