President, PM, CBK in Jaffna tomorrow

by P. Krishnaswamy

President Mathripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga are scheduled to fly to Jaffna tomorrow morning on an important symbolic visit to the North, to distribute title deeds of lands in the former High Security Zones being returned to families displaced by the war.

Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M.Swaminathan, who will accompany the national leaders on their brief visit to Jaffna, told the Sunday Observer that the ceremonial distribution of the title deeds is part of the expedited program of post-war reconciliation. Land title deeds to all other displaced families will be presented before the end of March Minister Swaminthan said.

The problem of property demarcation and basic utilities faced by the families who already visited their lands in Vasavilan East, Valigamam North and Palaly South will be brought to the notice of President Maithripala Sirisena and the other leaders accompanying him during the visit, Northern PC Chairman C.V.K.Sivagnanam told the Sunday Observer. The assistance of the District Secretariat, the Divisional Secretariat and other agencies will also be sought for identifying the lands and providing infrastructure facilities, Sivagnanam said.

In keeping with the Government’s pledge to release High Security Zone lands in Valigamam North under its 100-day program, it was decided at the last District Committee meeting in Jaffna to release 1,000 acres to their rightful owners.