Colombo, July 20 (newsin.asia) – The Sri Lankan Army, on Thursday said it had released 189 acres of land in Mullaitivu, in the island’s former war torn north, to resettle civilians back in their original lands.
In a statement, the army said it had responded positively to the concerns of the public, parliamentarians and local politicians in the Mullaittivu District, following which the Security Force Headquarters in Mullaittivu released another land patch of 189 acres situated in the Army Cantonment premises.
“Under this programme, families who were living with their next of kin are able to return to their original places of residence in Keppapilaw.,” the army said.
A similar release of 243 acres of lands belonging to civilians in Keppapilaw, used by the Security Forces in Mullaittivu took place earlier this year in response to humanitarian concerns of the displaced people in Mullaittivu.
Civilian lands were used to set up military bases during decades of conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in May 2009 with the defeat of the rebels.
The country’s north had been a strong hold of the rebels till they were militarily defeated in May 2009.
Thousands of civilians, mainly minority Tamils, were forced to flee their homes and were displaced in the conflict.
In recent years, international organisations including the UN have been calling for the release of civilian lands held by the military so that displaced civilians can return back home.
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