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Land release in focus at Defence Committee Meeting
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence convened in Parliament this afternoon (07) under the patronage of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Defence. ..
Sri Lanka Defence Committee focuses on land release, road reopening and ...
Posted by ONLANKA Newsroom on April 7, 2026 - 7:46 pm The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence met in Parliament this afternoon (April 7) under President and Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with key attention on releasing lands in the North and East, reopening closed roads and speeding up Cyclone Ditwah recovery work. The discussion reviewed progress on matters raised at earlier meetings and looked at issues brought forward by Members of Parliament from the Northern Province, as well as government and opposition MPs. A major part of the meeting focused on problems linked to the release of lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces that are still under the control of the security forces, and on reopening road sections that remain closed. Possible practical solutions were also discussed. President Dissanayake also asked about the action being taken to settle problems related to lands belonging to religious places of worship. The committee further discussed the rehabilitation of roads and irrigation canals damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Attention was also given to compensation for affected farmers and the progress of that process. During the meeting, the President said the government had taken steps in 2025 to release nearly 1,000 acres of private land in the North. He added that there are plans to release the remaining lands in stages. He said the government’s aim is to release land needed for the people’s daily lives while also managing land required for industry and other economic activities. He instructed officials to study what further steps could be taken to support that goal. The meeting also reviewed the welfare of members of the security forces and the work of the Ministry of Defence and its affiliated institutions. The Consultative Committee also granted approval for regulations that are due to be presented to Parliament. Among those present were Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara, government and opposition MPs, Defence Ministry Secretary Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, the commanders of the three armed forces and several senior Defence Ministry officials. Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka Lanka IOC raises Diesel prices April 8, 2026 US-Iran two-week ceasefire sets stage for high-stakes Islamabad talks April 8, 2026 Sri Lanka Defence Committee focuses on land release, road reopening and recovery April 7, 2026 Former SL...
Sri Lanka struggles to avert economic collapse over Mideast war
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has rationed fuel, raised its price by a third and increased electricity costs by up to 40 percent since the war in the Middle East began.
President's full speech on impact of Middle East conflict
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Sri Lanka expects all parties involved in the war to commit themselves at the earliest opportunity to building a peaceful world. The President pointed out that the current situation could have a severely adverse impact on the global economy and on people's livelihoods. The President stated that, as a government, whilst hoping for the best, they ...
