The Army today released 150.15 acres of State and private land occupied by the military in Kilinochchi.
Army Commander, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva attending a ceremony to release the land during a visit to the Security Force Headquarters – Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) today.
The Army said that the land release in Kilinochchi is perhaps one of the major gestures in the most recent past effected without compromising National Security, in line with the Presidential Secretariat’s policy of releasing land that does not belong to the Army in the North and East since 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 the Army 57 Division and 3 Gajaba Regiment troops in the Kilinagar Grama Seva sector of the Karachchi Divisional Secretariat and in the Ampakamam Grama Seva sector in the Oddusuddan Divisional Secretariat area were formally handed over by the Commander of the Army to S Arumainayaham, Kilinochchi District Secretary and Mrs R Ketheeswaran, Mullaittivu District Secretary during the ceremony.
Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva during his interactions with state officials shared a few views with them and assured them of all possible assistance for further release in future without compromising national security needs under any circumstances.
“We are here to protect people and the country at large and do not want to sabotage fast growing moves of reconciliation and bonds of goodwill and friendship as one nation. Troops are always prepared to lend assistance to communities all the time and would come forward particularly when they are in trouble. We also have undertaken massive community-oriented projects of multi-purpose nature as you all know by now,” the Commander remarked.
Major General Vijitha Ravipriya, Commander, Security Forces – Kilinochchi and several Senior Officers were also present.
(Colombo Gazette)