Action will be taken to release lands; Minister Anura Karunathilaka

11-Sep-2025

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The government continues to act on the principle that persons displaced for various reasons should be resettled in their own lands. Action will be taken to duly release the lands of civilians in Jaffna District which have not yet been returned, said Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Anura Karunathilaka.

He stated this in Parliament on September 10, responding to questions raised by Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP S. Sridhar regarding civilian lands in Valikamam North which still remain unreleased.

Further speaking, he said:

In Valikamam North of Jaffna District, in 2010, 12,376 families comprising 42,699 people were registered as displaced persons. Out of them, 10,981 families comprising 38,693 people were resettled. However, 1,395 families comprising 4,006 people remain yet to be resettled.

Meanwhile, in 2009, 23,850 acres of land were under the control of the military. Most of that land has been released, with 2,583 acres still remaining to be released.

Nevertheless, the government continues to work on the policy of resettling all displaced people in their original lands. Accordingly, steps are being taken through the relevant institutions to hand over such lands back to the people. Similarly, the government is also engaged in developing areas of national economic importance such as the Mayiliddy Fisheries Harbour. Roads that were previously closed have also been reopened.

Through the national budget, this government has allocated significant funds for the people of the North, with ongoing work to provide them with various essential facilities, he added.