Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said that military was gradually reducing its presence in Jaffna and being replaced by the Police since civil administration had been established in Jaffna.

Major General Hathurusinghe revealed this during his meeting with the Australian High Commissioner in Colombo Ms Robyn Mudie who was on a visit to Jaffna with two other officials yesterday.

“The Army in Jaffna has already handed over a majority of the civilians’ houses and lands to their legitimate owners, and will continue to do so considering the security situation,” Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe told Mudie.