Action to be taken to return the places occupied by the security forces

| by Nelson S Edirisinghe

(December 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A discussion was held at Jaffna District Secretariat on the last 18th chaired by Mr. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development concerning the returning of house and property and public places in Jaffna district presently occupied by the Security Forces and Police to the rightful owners.

The Divisional Secretaries presented to the Minister all the details pertaining to private and public properties presently occupied by the Army, Navy and Police in their respective administrative areas. The Minister and Government Agent after having examined the details so submitted, discussed with the top officials of the Armed Forces and Police the measures needed to be taken for returning the premises so occupied. Accordingly, it was decided to return whatever the properties that could be immediately vacated without jeopardizing the security of the general public and for the armed forces and Police to pay an increased rent to the owners of the properties in commensurate with the Government assessment and also to set up Police Stations in places more convenient to public. The Minister instructed the Divisional Secretaries to submit to the Government Agent the details of the properties belonging to the Police as well.

Minister Devananda, informed the participants that he would resort to necessary action to set up Police Stations in Karainagar, Gurunagar, Velanai, Nallur and Maruthankerny and also to remove Security Camps put up in the properties belonging to the people in the Islets.

All the Divisional Secretaries in Jaffna District and Higher Officials of the Security Forces and Police participated at this meeting