Solutions were reached for various issues concerning lands under the Land Reform Commission in the Northern Province during a meeting held at the Governor’s Secretariat on Wednesday morning (23.07.2025). The meeting was attended by Mr. R.K. Nihal, Chairman of the Land Reform Commission, who participated at the invitation of the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. N. Vethanayahan.
The discussion was attended by the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission; the Secretary to the Northern Provincial Governor; the Secretary to the Northern Provincial Ministry of Local Government; District Secretaries; Additional District Secretaries for Land; Divisional Secretaries; and heads of various departments, including the Coconut Development Board.
Each issue concerning the five districts—Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Mullaitivu—was examined and resolved individually. During the meeting, land-related matters involving the Land Reform Commission and other government departments were also addressed and settled. It was decided to formally request the release of Land Reform Commission lands currently occupied by the security forces, as well as those held by the Department of Forests and the Department of Wildlife, through the Governor.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission announced that deeds will be issued next month to a group of residents living on lands owned by the Commission. He also emphasized that permission for sand mining will never be granted on Land Reform Commission properties, and departments that have leased land from the Commission will likewise be prohibited from conducting such activities.The Chairman of the Land Reform Commission also directed that the allocation and regulation of new lands under the Commission’s ownership be carried out under the leadership of the District Secretaries.
The most significant issues were observed in the Mannar district, where it was revealed during the discussion that 90 acres of Land Reform Commission land are being used by a single individual. The Chairman of the Commission stated that he would address the matter through the Commission’s legal department and emphasized that special attention will be given to the Mannar district moving forward.
