President sets deadline for release of lands in the North and East

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena has issued instructions to release lands legally owned by the people of the North and East before the 31st of December. He issued these instructions during a meeting of the Presidential Task Force overlooking the development of the Northern and Eastern provinces. The President has instructed the Presidential Task Force to plan out a time frame and a proper structure in order to implement the project and to present its progress at the next meeting. President Maithripala Sirisena also highlighted the issued that the people in the North and East have had to suffer due to unresolved land issues. He urged the authorities to make sure the lands belonging to these people are returned after due processes without further delay. Among the other issues focused at the meeting were the release of school buildings under military control and steps that can be taken to tackle issues regarding drinking water.