Can't return all lands inside HSZs - Defence Secy.

The Government will not be able to release all lands taken over by security forces in the North and East due to security reasons, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi stated. He made the admission while speaking at a ceremony to return lands inside the Palali High Security Zone to their owners. 

The ceremony, held on June 25, saw 201 acres of lands in the Kankesanthurai and Valikamam areas of the Palali HSZ being released back to their original owners.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Defence Secretary pointed out that when the war ended, 29,000 acres belonging to the public were inside the High Security Zones. However, only about 3000 acres now remained after the majority of the lands were returned to their owners. 

While every effort will be made to identify and return as much of the lands as possible, the Government would draw up a scheme to compensate those whose lands could not be returned, Mr. Hettiarachchi stressed. He added this would be done through the Ministry of Resettlement on the instructions of the President and Prime Minister. The relevant District Secretaries and armed forces officers will be notified regarding this matter, he also said. 

Northern Province Governor Reginald Coorey, Jaffna District Secretary N. Devanayagam, Army Commander Lt. General Chrishanthe De Silva, Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Ravindra Wijegunawardene, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala and Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahesh Senanayake were also present on the occassion. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka

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