President directs Sri Lanka Army to release 701.5 acres of land for resettlement in the Jaffna Distr

President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the Sri Lanka Army to release 701.5 acres of lands in Tellippalai D.S. Division and Kopay D.S.Division following the request made by D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs. 468.5 acres of land in Tellippalai D.S. Division and 233 acres of land in Kopay D.S. Division were released by the Sri Lanka Army on 29th December to process resettlement. The 30 year war resulted in many internally displaced families while private lands owned by the people were occupied by the armed forces. With the cessation of the armed conflict in the country in May 2009, there was very little progress made in releasing the lands to the original occupants. In Jaffna there are 12,000 families still living either in welfare centres or with friends and relatives as their lands were not released for resettlement. The largest area of lands occupied by the Forces is in Tellipalaiand Kopay D.S. Divisions. 

Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M.Swaminathan, submitted a Cabinet Memorandum dated 7th December  requesting President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and the Cabinet of Ministers, for the release of private lands occupied by the armed forces for resettlement in Jaffna district. The details of the lands released include Kankesanthurai South, Palaiveemankamam North and Thaiyaddi South which covers 213.5 acres, and Palaly South, Palaly East and Palaly North which covers 255 acres. In Tellipalai D.S.Division 468.5 acres of private lands have been released. In KopaiD.S.Division, Valalai 233 acres occupied by the armed forces have been released. Accordingly, the total acres of land released are 701.5 acres. Further, it is noted that in the Kopay area almost 100% of the private lands have been released for resettlement.

Following discussions held at the president’s office with the officers of the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Army Commander, District Secretary, Governor’s Office of Provincial Council and other authorities, 701.5 acres of land were released. Secretary, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, V.Sivagnanasothy, informed,  29 December, that the Divisional Secretary of Tellippalai and Kopay have already taken over the 701.5 acres of lands and commenced removal of fences.

This will enable the resettlement of over 700 families and provide livelihood opportunities through agricultural activities in the Jaffna District. Release of lands to the displaced families to resettle them in their original places of residence is a major milestone to ensure durable solutions and establish sustainable peace in the war affected Northern Province.

In addition, the resettled families will be provided with a resettlement allowance by the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, for land clearance, tool kits, food package and temporary shelter. The  5,000 housing program initiated by D.M. Swaminathan will give first priority to the resettled families according to the Ministry Secretary.These houses will have solar electricity, water, sanitation facilities and furniture.

V.Sivagnanasothy also stated that in addition to the 701.5 acres released now and in 2015 already 1000 acres of land from Jaffna, 500 acres from Kilinochchi and 1000 acres from Sampoor, Trincomalee and other small parcels of lands had been already released by the state for the resettlement of IDPs and returnees where they had lived previously. With the Christmas, New Year and Thaipongal, this initiative demonstrates a  goodwill gesture on the part of the government towards finding durable solutions for the conflict affected people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.