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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A discussion has been held under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya regarding the pressing land issues in the North and East of Sri Lanka. 

In a statement on social media, the Prime Minister said the Minister of Lands K.D. Lal Kantha, several Members of Parliament, and other government officials participated in the meeting held at the Parliament on Friday. 

PM Harini Amarasuriya said during the meeting, she reaffirmed that under no circumstances will the government take over these lands. 

She further said that, instead, necessary steps will be taken to ensure they are returned to the rightful owners, those who hold the original claims.

“Our policies must be grounded in justice, dignity, and equality for all communities,” PM Amarasuriya added. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has informed Parliament that a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probe has been requested into land deals involving former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa in Gampaha. 

Addressing the Parliament today, Mahinda Jayasinghe said a request has been made from the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) in this regard.

The Deputy Minister said the lands in the Imbulgoda and Makola areas had been purchased in 2012 and sold in 2023.

He revealed in Parliament that a plot of land purchased in Ihala Imbulgoda in 2012 under the Mahinda Rajapaksa Spiritual Foundation for Rs. 500,000 has been sold for Rs. 10 million, adding that the owner of the land is one Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of Carlton House Tangalle.

Mahinda Jayasinghe further said that another plot of land in Makola that was purchased for Rs. 01 million has been sold for Rs. 12 million, of which the owner was Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of Carlton House Tangalle.

The Deputy Minister of Labour said inquiries into the land deals have revealed that the deeds had been drawn up and signed at the Temple Trees and had been transferred in 2023 to a person residing in Nugegoda.

Addressing recent media reports that he had forcibly entered lands belonging to Buddhist Temples and monks, Mahinda Jayasinghe Jayasinghe produced documents to claim that the lands belonged to ordinary citizens. 

The Deputy Minister said that he had visited the lands to inquire about the ownership as issues had been raised by the original owners and area residents. (Newswire) 

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The Foreign Employment Ministry will launch a special programme for Sri Lankan migrants going overseas for agricultural jobs, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara announced. 

The minister said that upon their return, a program will be launched to provide those migrant workers with two acres of land each to turn them into agri-entrepreneurs.

He further said that the lands will be given to contribute directly to the economy of this country through the knowledge acquired by those engaged in agriculture-related jobs abroad.

Stating that the President’s approval has been received for the programme, Minister Nanayakkara said discussions are underway with the Ministry of Lands in this regard. 

The Minister made the remarks while addressing the staff of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) on Monday (Jan 01). (NewsWire)

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