June 10, Colombo: A permanent office has been set up to formalize the process of returning traditional lands in the North and East High Security Zones to the people.

The office headed by an army brigadier was established by the orders of Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Presidential Staff, and Presidential Adviser on National Security.

Mr. Sagala Ratnayake has also instructed that the relevant problem should be resolved within a period of six months by this office.

This office has been established with the aim of preparing a formal system in order to release the traditional lands to the people in a manner that does not pose any problem to the people as well as national security.

Mr. Ratnayake has instructed the Chief of Defense Staff, General Shavendra Silva, to establish the relevant office with the aim of solving this land issue so that it does not threaten the national security and does not cause injustice to the original owners of the land.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to settle these land-related issues and tasked the officials with devising effective mechanisms for their resolution.

By 2009, the security forces had 23,850.72 acres of people's land in the North and East and by the beginning of this year, 20,755.52 acres of that land had been released. Another 106 acres of land has been released in February 2023.

According to government sources, another 2989.80 acres have been identified for release to the people and after providing solutions to the problems that may arise in the country's national security, that amount of land will also be released.