‘Release of lands should be expedited’

The government and all stakeholders should exert pressure on the army to have the large extents of private lands occupied by it, released early to their lawful owners, said Prison Reforms, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan.

He said this, commenting on JO Parliamentary Group leader Dinesh Gunawardene’s proposal, in parliament, on appointing a Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to expedite the release of military-held lands in the North because the issue has now been internationalised.

Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake promised to

release another 3,600 acres soon, but the army has many strategic issues to be addressed before releasing the land, Swaminathan said.