Defence Chiefs Accelerate Solutions to Veterans’ Land Crisis

A high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara at the Ministry of Defence on 24 February focused on resolving urgent land issues affecting war heroes and their families. The session addressed challenges in issuing legal ownership documents, unauthorized cultivation, and illegal occupation of lands granted under a Government programme through the Land Reform Commission.

Emphasizing the nation’s duty to honour and protect those who safeguarded the country’s sovereignty, the Deputy Minister instructed all relevant authorities to take swift legal and administrative measures. Land allocations in Meegodawatta, Palendagoda, Yatadolawatta, and Maduruketiya Watta were highlighted, and officials, including the Additional Secretary (Defence Services), Director General and Regional Directors of the LRC, and Deputy Director of Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Services, pledged expedited action to safeguard the rights, dignity, and entitlements of veterans and their families.