Tamil Diplomat

Prime Minister orders the Military to get out of lands in the Jaffna District except in Vali- North

The Prime Minister ordered the military to take action to release rapidly, nearly 1,000 acre land in Jaffna District, except Vali-North.

He ordered so at a discussion held yesterday regarding the release of lands of people under the control of the Security Forces, among the Prime Minister Ranil, Officers of the Security Forces and the representatives of the people at the District Secretariat, Jaffna.

The release of lands in Vali- North is delayed due to security reasons. But take action to release people’s and state lands in the Jaffna District except in Vali North.

In another development, the Air Force, hitherto saying that 1, 000 acres are needed to convert Palaly into Regional AirPort, yesterday changed its stance to say that 724 acres are adequate for the conversion.

The conversion is being discussed from 2016 and the Air Force continued insisted that 1,000 acre are needed despite  the fact that a team of experts from India surveyed the area and declared that 724 acre is sufficient for the conversion.

Following the change of stance of the Air Force, the PM said that speedy action will be taken to obtain  funds from India and effect the conversion.

600 acre were acquired in the 1980s for the AirPort. In a context where another 400 acre were to be acquired, as per the above change, speedy action will be taken to acquire 124 acre and effect the conversion.