Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-05-09

Release of Lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces

Private and Government lands in extent of 4,992.84 acres in the Northern and Eastern Provinces used by the three forces during the conflict situation and which are not further needed, have already been released to their original owners with the consent of the Ministry of Defence. The Sri Lanka Army has agreed to further release 522 acres of private lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to resettle the displaced community presently living in the welfare centres or in the residences of their friends and relatives, amidst much difficulties.

Accordingly, the joint proposal made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, and Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, the Minister of Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Development & Hindu Religious Affairs, to allocate the funds of a sum of of Rs. 866.71 million, required for the purpose of relocating the army camps presently existing in the private lands when releasing such private lands, to the Sri Lanka Army, was approved by the Cabinet.