In keeping with the spirit of the times the Sri Lankan army Friday released 570 acres of land in Valali and Kankasanthurai, in the Valikamam region of Jaffna district.
"Under today’s phase, 397 acres from Kankasanthurai South and 173 acres from Valali in the Valikamam sector have now been released to the District Secretariat, thus completing the extent of 1000 acres assured by the Government," the army said in a statement and thus removed an irritation for reconciliation in the post-war phase.
The release of 570 acres follows the announcement last month during President Sirisena’s first visit to Jaffna, that 425 acres were released. The government has pledged to return another 818 acres in Sampur.
Speaking at an event at the time, the chief minister of the Northern province Wigneswaran stressed that there were several examples of Tamil villages that remain cordoned off by the military.
"In the above backdrop I urge the issue of Land and Property be addressed based on well-established international principles and rights as outlined in the Pinheiro Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons, Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," he said.
“Let us hope humane thinking will ensure the restoration of our people’s lands and the withdrawal of the armed services from our areas except to keep a minimum surveillance in the area in line with international norms and standards," he added.
The release of ‘occupied’ lands by the army is no signal that the Sirisena government would withdraw the Army deployments from the battered Jaffna belt. "Troops will not be withdrawn from North", army commander has gone on record as recently as April 1.
In the prevailing political mileu, troops roll back is difficult to execute but what instead can be expected is less visibility of armed forces in the streets of Northern Sri Lanka.
-By POREG TEAM
