People who had been living on Land Reform Commission lands for 53 years without land documents have finally received relief during the tenure of this government. For the first time, such deeds have been issued to residents of the Northern Province, according to the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Land documents were issued on 13 August 2025 to 32 occupants of Land Reform Commission lands in the Chavakachcheri Divisional Secretariat Division of Jaffna District, and to 300 residents of the Pachilaippalli Divisional Secretariat Division of Kilinochchi District.
During the event at Palai Central College, the guests were ceremoniously escorted to the function hall, accompanied by a marching band.
The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Land and Irrigation Hon. K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Fisheries, Hydrology and Marine Resources Hon. R. Chandrasekar, Governor of the Northern Province Hon. N. Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister Hon. Dr. Sunil Ranasinghe, Parliamentarians Hon. K. Ilankumaran, Chairman of the Pachilaippalli Pradeshiya Sabha Hon. Suren, Chairman of the Land Reforms Commission Mr. K. Nihal, District Secretaries of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts, and Divisional Secretaries of Chavakachcheri and Pachilaippalli.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission stated that, for the first time, deeds are being issued to the people of the Northern Province who have been living on Land Reform Commission lands. He further noted that the government’s national land deed issuance initiative has commenced from this location.
Minister R. Chandrasekar stated that steps will be taken to identify unmarked lands in the Northern Province and allocate them to landless residents of the region. He noted that, in the past, while many people remained without land, large areas were granted to individuals who had bribed politicians and their associates, with some officials also complicit in these acts. The Minister affirmed that illegally allocated lands will be reclaimed and redistributed to the people.
In his speech, the Northern Province Governor stated that today marks a significant day for the people of the Northern Province. After 53 years, land that had long been withheld has finally been granted to them. He emphasized that it was through the efforts of this government that the process was carried out properly and the land allocated to the rightful beneficiaries. The Governor commended the officials for completing the task without any political interference, noting that the recipients have at last found relief from their decades-long struggle.
We recently invited the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission to our office to discuss issues in the Northern Province. As a result, many of these matters are set to be addressed under the direct observation of the District Secretaries, and additional beneficiaries will receive their deeds soon. However, numerous needs remain, which should be resolved gradually. Just as deeds have been granted to those living on Land Reform Commission lands, similar action should be taken for those residing on other government lands. That process, he said, must also be resumed.
Minister K.D. Lalkantha stated that allegations have long existed that the lands of the Northern Province’s residents have been seized by the Forest Department. He added that similar accusations have been made by people in the south, claiming that the Forest Department has taken over agricultural lands in Hambantota and Monaragala. The Minister noted that steps have been taken to address this issue and expressed hope that a proper and permanent solution will be found soon.
Northern Provincial Director of the Land Reform Commission, Mr. T. Vimalan, stated that the goal is to provide land deeds to 50,000 people by the end of this year, including approximately 3,000 recipients from the Northern Province.
