A special meeting was convened at the Defence Ministry on Tuesday (24) under the chairpersonship of the Deputy Defence Minister, (Retired) Major General Aruna Jayasekara, to discuss land-related issues identified by the Ranaviru Seva Authority and the Directorate of Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Services affecting war heroes and their family members, and to provide prompt solutions.

In recognition of the service rendered by war heroes, a programme was implemented by the Government, with the intervention of the Ministry, to allocate land plots under the Land Reform Commission. Accordingly, plots of land were granted in Meegodawatta and Palendagoda in the Homagama Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD), in Yatadolawatta in the Matugama DSD, and in Maduruketiya Watta in the Monaragala DSD.

Discussions were held particularly on matters concerning legal title documents required to confirm the ownership of lands granted to war heroes, as well as issues arising from unauthorised cultivation by third parties and instances of the illegal occupation of such lands.

Expressing his views, Jayasekara emphasised the necessary legal and administrative measures must be taken to resolve the issues faced by war heroes and their family members with regard to lands granted through Government intervention. He instructed the relevant authorities to take appropriate and expeditious action in this regard.