A high-level civil-military coordination meeting was held in Mullaitivu to discuss long-standing land concerns affecting residents in areas currently occupied by security forces.
Government officials and security authorities gathered in Mullaitivu on Wednesday for a civil-military coordination meeting aimed at resolving persistent land-related grievances in the region. The Ministry of Defence organised the meeting at the Mullaitivu Divisional Secretariat, chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), with participation from the Northern Province Governor and various district officials.
The discussions centred on two primary areas of concern: the Keppapilavu region, where lands are currently under Sri Lanka Army control, and the Vadduvakkal area, which is occupied by the Sri Lanka Navy. According to the Defence Ministry's statement, the meeting brought together senior government officials, security force commanders, and a substantial number of local residents to deliberate on these issues.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Jayasekara stated that resolving land concerns while maintaining national security interests is critical for achieving long-term regional stability and development. He directed relevant authorities to collaborate in identifying practical and sustainable approaches to address the grievances presented. The Deputy Minister also highlighted the broader role of security forces in disaster relief, emergency response and community engagement initiatives alongside their security responsibilities.
Local residents were provided an opportunity to directly present their concerns to the Deputy Minister during the proceedings. According to the Defence Ministry, community representatives welcomed the open forum and expressed optimism regarding potential solutions to their enduring issues. The meeting's outcome suggests the government is committed to balancing security requirements with addressing civilian land concerns in the region.
