Business · Sri Lanka Bureau
Military releases land in Jaffna's high security zone for economic development
The Sri Lankan military has vacated nearly 188 acres of land in the Jaffna peninsula's former wartime security zone to facilitate commercial activity. The released area, which belonged to the Cement Corporation, is expected to support economic revitalisation in the region.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Defence Ministry announced last week that the military has relinquished control of 187.56 acres of land belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna. The vacated land, located within Grama Niladhari Division J/233 in Kankesanthurai West, previously fell within the high security zone established during the armed conflict.
The release of the property marks another step in the gradual opening of restricted areas in the Jaffna peninsula, which has been under military control for security purposes in the post-war period. Officials indicated that the move is intended to enable economic development initiatives in the area.
Kankesanthurai has historically been an important commercial and industrial hub in the Northern Province. The availability of the Cement Corporation land is expected to create opportunities for business activity and employment generation in the region.
The decision reflects broader government efforts to balance security considerations with economic rehabilitation in the North, where post-conflict reconstruction has been an ongoing priority since the conclusion of the armed conflict in 2009.