Expatriates of North get facility to claim land by post | Page 4 | Sunday Observer

Expatriates of North get facility to claim land by post

15 September, 2019

For the first time since the end of Sri Lanka’s long-drawn conflict in 2009, former residents of the North now residing abroad would be able to submit their requests to reclaim private land once owned by them, without visiting the island.

The Northern Province Governor, Suren Raghavan has requested landowners in the Northern Province, now residing abroad to submit relevant documents to reclaim their land currently occupied by government security forces. The Governor’s office has introduced the program under the second phase of President Maithripala Sirisena’s initiative to release land in the Northern Province. By virtue of this program, Sri Lankan Expatriates from the North can submit proof of ownership along with a government-issued form to request their land. Those who wish to submit their requests can download the required form from the website of the Northern provincial council, np.gov.lk and forward with copies of their deeds and other relevant documents to confirm proof of ownership, by post, to the Secretariat of the Governor, Northern Provincial Council, Old Park Road, Chundikuli, Jaffna.

Meanwhile, the Northern Provincial Council also commenced accepting applications of residents to reclaim land from the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts yesterday. The deadline for applications has been set for September 21. Previously the Council had called for applications from residents of the Jaffna district. “Applications received from the Jaffna district are now being processed,” governor Dr Raghavan said, adding that he will ensure the process is expedited.

The governor made these comments at a special discussion held this week to discuss the release of lands in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. The council will begin accepting applications from the Mannar and Vavuniya districts under the third phase of the program.

Holding another discussion yesterday headed by the governor, officials took up the issue of land yet to be released in Myliddi and Palali East. It was revealed that a total of 2,231 families from the area continue to await the release of their land. About 3,000 acres of privately owned land continue to be occupied by security forces in Jaffna.

During the meeting yesterday, the governor proposed the appointment of a three-member committee to seek alternative land for the security forces and requested the process to be completed within a fortnight. Yesterdays meeting was attended by the governor, several MP’s from the Tamil National Alliance, government and military officials. The next meeting is scheduled for September 24.

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