A STEP TOWARDS AGRICULTURAL MODERNISATION

His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended a series of events in the Jaffna peninsula today (22 March). The Land Distribution Programme was one of the significant events among them and, in which, in line with the government’s endeavour to restore land rights and foster agricultural modernisation in Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed 234 acres of land released from the high-security zone in Jaffna, under SF HQ (J), to more than 300 former owners in Valikamam North.

Honoured by the presence of Minister of Fisheries Hon. Douglas Devananda, the Governor of the Northern Province Hon. Mrs. P.S.M. Charles, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was greeted with traditional fervour upon his arrival. His Excellency the President symbolically planted a sapling to mark the government's agriculture modernisation initiative on these released lands and distributed seeds to the land recipients.

The highlight of the event was the official release and handover of lands to the Jaffna District Governor Mr. Maradalingam Pradeepan by His Excellency the President. Then, President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated the beneficiaries while engaging in a cordial conversation with them.

The Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil attended the programme in the capacity of Head of the Green Agriculture and Agriculture Modernisation Operation Center. The CDS was warmly welcomed by the Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) at the Air Force Base Palaly, before attending the programme. The programme highlighted the critical significance and immense benefits of agricultural modernisation for the farming community. During the programme, the CDS actively engaged in deliberations with private sector leaders in agriculture modernisation in the country, such as Cargills Ceylon (PLC), Agro World, and John Keells Holdings (PLC), recognised as potential contributors to the agricultural modernisation initiative for the newly released lands.

The event was graced by a multitude of dignitaries, including State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and distinguished invitees. Their presence highlighted the collaborative effort necessary to propel positive change in agriculture modernisation in the country.