President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the security forces to accelerate the release and return of lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces that were taken over during the conflict but are no longer required for security purposes.

The directive was issued during a discussion at the Parliamentary Complex on Thursday (20) on expediting the return of private lands acquired for military camps, as well as State lands previously used by local communities.

The President stressed that national security remains paramount, noting that decisions on where military camps and other installations are required must be made by the Tri‑Forces, Police, and relevant security authorities. 

He called for a final determination on which lands can be released and which must be retained.

Emphasising a people‑centred approach, President Dissanayake urged officials to release the maximum possible extent of land to the public and to ensure livelihood opportunities accompany the return of lands.

He further directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to introduce projects incorporating modern agricultural technologies aimed at boosting productivity and creating sustainable livelihoods. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) says over 700 acres of land in the North and East have been returned to the public so far this year. 

Deputy Minister Jayasekara said that from 01st January 2025 to date, a total of 672.24 acres of land have been returned to the public in the North.

He further said that these lands include 86.24 acres of private land and 586 acres of land that were used by the military.

Deputy Minister Jayasekara went on to note that 34.58 acres of government lands have also been released in the East Province alone.

He added that issues with the Eechankulam land in the Vavuniya District are being looked into and will be resolved soon. 

Deputy Minister Jayasekara revealed that the mentioned lands have been released after the submission of relevant information to the National Security Council (NSC) and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security.

The Deputy Minister of Defence gave the breakdown while addressing the Parliament of Sri Lanka today. (Newswire)

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The Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances in the North and East Provinces has categorically rejected Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanisms and called for the immediate establishment of an independent, special, international Commission of Inquiry to investigate the mass graves uncovered in the North and East, including the Chemmani mass grave. 

In a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances informed of the rotational hunger strike that has been launched, demanding international justice for the genocide committed against the Tamil people and the enforced disappearances.

“The case of genocide committed by the Sri Lankan state against the Tamil people must be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). If it is not possible for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate crimes prior to 01 July 2002, then a special international criminal tribunal on Sri Lanka must be established to ensure accountability for genocide and related crimes,” the Association said. 

The Association further made 08 proposals to the international community to be taken as immediate steps. 

It is also reported that the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances in the North and East Provinces burnt copies of the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka, near the Chemmani mass graves in Jaffna.

The UN Rights Chief’s reports were burned yesterday (01 Oct) as a symbolic gesture of rejecting the report. (Newswire)

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The hartal planned for Friday, 15th August, across the North and East has been postponed to Monday, 18th August, according to the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK). 

According to the ITAK, the date change follows a request from the Bishop of Mannar, who noted that a special event will be held at the Madhu Church on 15th August.

Following discussions with the Vicar General of the Mannar Diocese, organizers agreed to move the protest to avoid clashing with the church event and to coincide with the Nallur Temple festival.

Tamil National Alliance General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran and ITAK President C. V. K. Sivagnanam urged the public to support the hartal on 18th August by closing shops and offices across the region to express opposition on key issues.

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi had previously called for a hartal on 15th August in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lankan Army in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu. 

At the time, the ITAK stated that the body of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj was found in the Muttaiyankattu Tank on 09th August, two days after he and four others were reportedly summoned to the army camp and severely beaten. (Newswire)

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Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman has extended his support for the hartal to be held on 15th August in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army.

Issuing a statement, Jeevan Thondaman said that a search was launched for 32-year-old Edirmannasingam Kabilraj, who was reported missing after being attacked by the Army on 07th August, and his body was later found in the Muthuiyankaddu Tank in Oddusuddan on 09th August. 

“I extend my support for this hartal, which calls for justice and protests the unlawful actions of the Army,” he said. 

Jeevan Thondaman further said that it is regrettable that such inhumane activities are still occurring in Sri Lanka, even though it has been 16 years since the end of the civil war. (Newswire)

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The Government of China has made cash donations amounting to a total of Rs. 1.5 billion to the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, so far this year, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said.

The Government of China has made significant donations for the development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visiting various parts of the two provinces to deliver the aid. 

Taking to ‘X’, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited the Northern and Eastern Provinces, making multiple donations between 19-21 November 2024 as well. 

Visiting the Kaluvankerni village in the Eastern Province yesterday (21 Nov), the Chinese Ambassador made a cash donation of Rs. 04 million.

The ambassador has visited the village in the Eastern Province for several consecutive years, making multiple cash donations to support villagers in building homes and improving livelihood.  

Previously, on Wednesday (20 Nov), Ambassador Qi Zhenhong contributed an additional cash donation of Rs. 08 million from the Chinese Government to the Eastern Province.

The Chinese Embassy announced that the Chinese Ambassador also delivered a cash donation of Rs. 12 million to the Northern Province on the same day. 

According to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, the Government of China has donated house units, fishing nets and rice for a total value of Rs. 1.5 billion to the Northern and Eastern Provinces for this year. (Newswire)

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The North and East would not be merged, while police or land powers would not be granted to these areas under a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government, the party’s Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said.

He made these comments during a media briefing held in Jaffna today, responding to questions raised by journalists.

A Buddhist nation protects all religions, languages, and communities, Rajapaksa said, stressing that the SLPP would never betray the country or the party for short-term benefits, privileges, or positions.

Rajapaksa also said that he is prepared for any challenge in the future. (Newswire)

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A hartal is underway in the North and East to protest the government’s proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.

The hartal has been organized by several political parties, including the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and civil organizations. 

TNA Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the hartal has been launched to protest the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as to highlight the continued state-sponsored land grab happening in the North and East. 

All businesses and schools have closed down in support of the hartal, while public transportation has also been suspended in several parts of the North and East, including Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Mullaitivu. (NewsWire)

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