March 11, Colombo (LNW): The government facilitated the return of 109.56 acres of land, previously held by the military, to the lawful proprietors in the Jaffna peninsula, marking the 24th consecutive release of such properties. The returned lands encompass five parcels in the Jaffna District and seven in the Kilinochchi District, the Sri Lanka Army said. At present, only 0.5 per cent of the land remains under military occupation, designated as vital for upholding normalcy and ensuring security within the region. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of the Sri Lankan government to restore occupied lands to their rightful owners. Under the leadership of Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, and the oversight of Commander of the Security Forces – Jaffna, Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe, the process continues. The event saw the participation of Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor, who attended as the Chief Guest.