Oct 14, Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities will hold a special discussion next month on the high security zones (HSZs) established in Jaffna during the decades-long ethnic conflict.

The discussion would be based on the HSZs in Jaffna and the private lands that are currently occupied by the military in the area, according to local media reports.

The decision to convene a special meeting to discuss the HSZs and private lands had been taken at the Jaffna district development meeting last week.

Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda and Northern Province Governor G. A. Chandrasiri had also participated in the district development meeting.

Tamil political parties representing the Northern Province have constantly asked government to return the private lands in Jaffna that are currently under military occupation to its owners.

The High Security Zones have been dismantled in stages and the land has been handed back to the civilians, the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said recently.

Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that the Nallur Divisional Secretariat is to file legal action against a move by the military to occupy land that was under its purview.

The decision to go to court was taken at a special meeting convened by the Nallur Divisional Secretariat last week.