High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

256 houses in High Security Zone returned to owners

The government has taken action to release lands in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the country in keeping with the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) being implemented by the Inter Agency Committee (IAC).

256 houses surrounding the Palaly HSZ have already been returned to civilians and another 2392 houses have been identified for civilian occupation in more than 2500 hectares of the land that was set apart for HSZs. These lands will be returned to their original owners.

The government is of the firm policy that any citizen of Sri Lanka is equally free to purchase land or own land anywhere in the country. There is no policy of expansion of High Security Zones (HSZs), as alleged by some. On the contrary, the policy is to shrink such Zones, as rapidly and as significantly as possible.

A Land Kachcheri system is being considered by the Government to resolve land issues, and it is awaiting the final recommendations of the LLRC. It is an established mechanism of state land allocation where the Government Agent of the District after due and fair inquiry plays a central role in assigning ownership and tenurial rights. The State wherever it occupies lands of those who have been identified as owners, pays rents for occupation of such lands.

The IAC chaired by the Attorney General has taken the initiative to implement practical measures to strengthen the reconciliation process. The LLRC had made recommendations with regard to the detention of suspects, land issues, law and order, administrative and language issues, and the socio-economic and livelihood issues pursuant to its Warrant dated May 15, 2010.

I am happy to be here in Visakhapatnam, the city that is often called the Jewel on the Coromandel Coast. This is a region with which my country, Sri Lanka, shares ancient links. For that reason, being here holds special significance for me. My sincere thanks therefore to the Andra Chamber of Commerce and the GITAM University for this initiative and for the warm hospitality and reception.

The 63rd Anniversary of Independence was celebrated in the Indian capital with a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony in the morning of 4 Februay 2011 and a reception in the evening with the participation of the leading Indian representatives of all the important spheres, foreign diplomats and the Sri Lankan community in New Delhi at the premises of the Sri Lanka High Commission.

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam hoisted the national flag, amidst the sounds of Magul Bera played by the members of Sri Lanka Navy cultural troupe. After national anthem was sung by the gathering, Buddhist monks headed by Ven Kahawatte Sumedha Thero chanted seth pirith.

Addressing the gathering, quoting from President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s message High Commissioner Kariyawasam said that the anniversary of independence is a day the whole nation could rejoice and rededicate to safeguard independence. He added that it is of paramount importance to accelerate the work on nation-building to fulfill the aspirations of the people. “The aspiration of the nation is to make more meaningful the freedom won with much sacrifice,” he said.

The President stated that the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka, Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake taking over the nation said that freedom has been obtained to relieve the pain and increase contentment of the people regardless of ethnic, party or religious differences. “This is the worthy aim of any nation that seeks freedom. It is of paramount importance to accelerate the work on nation-building to fulfill this aim. The march towards making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia should speed up as each step taken for development is a step towards freedom.”

The chief guest at the reception in the evening was Ms Kumari Selja, Minister of Culture and Urban Housing Development. She also released a ‘Sri Lanka Special Report’ published by the premier Hindi newspaper Jagran which has a circulation of over 2 million copies. While the Navy cultural troupe comprising of dancers and drummers kept the vast audience enthralled with scintillation dances and reverberating drum music, the guests were treated to Sri Lankan delicacies.

The wide coverage given by the Indian media included a live telecast of an interview with High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam by the pioneer television channel of India, the Doordarshan in its nation-wide channel. The High Commissioner’s message was broadcast by the Rajdhani (Capital) service of All India Radio.