The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and Chairman of the Jaffna District Development Coordination Committee, Ramalingam Chandrasegar, stated that the government has taken steps to release certain பகுதிகள் of civilian lands currently under security control in Valikamam North before April.
The minister stated that the government remains committed to returning people’s lands to their rightful owners. Due to the extraordinary situation that prevailed in the country, particularly in the Northern Province, private lands had to be held under the control of security forces for security purposes.
He noted that although more than 15 years have passed since the end of the conflict, many private lands are yet to be released, and the government is giving serious attention to this issue. A phased program has already begun to return private lands in Valikamam North currently held by security forces to their original owners.
Arrangements are being made by the Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka, following instructions from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to hand over some areas of Valikamam North to civilians by around April.
The minister further said that the President is focusing on the development of the Northern region. Special attention has been given to the development of Jaffna International Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour, while special funds have been allocated to rehabilitate rural roads in the North, with development work already underway.
Funds have also been allocated to renovate fish landing sites in order to support the livelihoods of Northern fishermen, and related development activities have commenced. The government, he added, continues to move forward despite many challenges to address the development and livelihood concerns of the people.
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