ARMY RELEASES 150.15 ACRES IN KILINOCHCHI

Sri Lanka Army formally released 150.15 acres, belonging to the State and private owners during a ceremony held yesterday at the Security Force Headquarters, Kilinochchi under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva. The army said the land release in Kilinochchi, perhaps being one of the major gestures in the most recent past, was effected without compromising national security interests, to be in line with the Presidential Secretariat’s policy of releasing land that does not belong to the army in the North and East since a durable peace has dawned.

Accordingly, documents related to 139.56 acres of state land and 10.59 acres of private land, hitherto being used by 57 Division and 3 Gajaba Regiment troops in Kilinagar Grama Seva sector of the Karachchi Divisional Secretariat and in Ampakamam Grama Seva sector in the Oddusuddan Divisional Secretariat, were thus formally handed over by the Commander of the Army to Mr. S Arumainayaham, Kilinochchi District Secretary and Mrs. R Ketheeswaran, Mullaithivu District Secretary during last morning’s ceremony at the SFHQ-E.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva during his discussions with state officials, shared his views of the situation with them and assured them of all possible assistance for further release of lands in future too, without compromising national security needs under any circumstances.

“We are here to protect the people and the country at large and do not want to sabotage fast growing moves of reconciliation and bonds of goodwill and friendship. Troops are always prepared to lend assistance to all communities all of the time and would come forward to do so particularly when they are in trouble. We also have undertaken massive community-oriented projects of a multi-purpose nature as you all know by now,” the Commander remarked on the occasion.

Major General Vijitha Ravipriya, Commander, Security Forces - Kilinochchi and several senior officers were also present.