The Sri Lankan army said on Friday that it had released 570 acres of land in Valali and Kankasanthurai, in the Valikamam region of Jaffna district.

"Under today's phase, 397 acres from Kankasanthurai South and 173 acres from Valali in the Valikamam sector have now been released to the District Secretariat, thus completing the extent of 1000 acres assured by the Government," the army was quoted as saying by Colombo Page.

"Under today's phase, 397 acres from Kankasanthurai South and 173 acres from Valali in the Valikamam sector have now been released to the District Secretariat, thus completing the extent of 1000 acres assured by the Government," the Army reportedly added in a statement.

The release of 570 acres follows the announcement last month during the president's visit to Jaffna, that 425 acres were released.

Speaking at an event at the time, the chief minister of the Northern province stressed that there were several examples of Tamil villages that remain cordoned off by the military.

"In the above backdrop I urge the issue of Land and Property be addressed based on well-established international principles and rights as outlined in the Pinheiro Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons, Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," Mr Wigneswaran said.

“Let us hope humane thinking will ensure the restoration of our people’s lands and the withdrawal of the armed services from our areas except to keep a minimum surveillance in the area in line with international norms and standards," he added.

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