President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken decisive action to accelerate the allocation of lands to war heroes by appointing a special committee. Chaired by the President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, the committee comprises senior officials from various key departments, including the Defence Ministry, the Land Commissioner General, and the Ranaviru Seva Authority.
The initiative aims to provide government lands to personnel of the Tri-Forces, Police, and Civil Defence Department who have made sacrifices during active duty, including those who have passed away, gone missing, or become disabled. Despite previous attempts to implement such programs, challenges have hindered their success, prompting the President to establish this committee.
In response to the President’s directive, the committee is tasked with reassessing the current methodology for land distribution to ensure prompt and effective action. The Cabinet has already endorsed the President’s resolution to revise existing procedures, acknowledging the need for a more comprehensive approach that recognizes the true value of the lands allocated to war heroes.
Circular instructions issued by the Land Commissioner General have outlined guidelines for distributing residential lands to deserving individuals. However, it has become evident that the current framework falls short of adequately addressing the needs of war heroes, with legal constraints limiting the economic benefits associated with land ownership. The committee’s efforts aim to address these limitations and honor the sacrifices made by those who have served their nation.