Sri Lankan President to return military-held land in Jaffna

Colombo

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday has promised to return land held by the military to the Tamil people in the northern city of Jaffna. During his first visit to Jaffna since taking office in September 2024, Dissanayake emphasized that land should rightfully remain with its owners.

The promise to expedite the return of land follows a history of military land seizures during the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which lasted until 2009. Some 3,500 acres were taken for the high-security zone around the Palaly military base, which also houses the Jaffna International Airport. Since 2015, some land has been returned to its original owners.

The president acknowledged that while the government has the authority to acquire land for security and development, those affected must be given alternative land. Dissanayake assured that steps are being taken to speed up the process.

Meanwhile, unemployed graduates in Jaffna staged a protest, demanding better job opportunities. They gathered outside the Jaffna District Secretariat, where Dissanayake was holding discussions with local representatives. The protesters vowed to continue their demonstration until their concerns are addressed.

Jaffna, a Tamil-majority region, remains central to Sri Lanka’s efforts to address historical grievances and promote development in the northern and eastern provinces.