Releasing the Victoria road marked the removal of High Security Zones in the Jaffna town, the Ministry of Defence said.

Implementing reconciliation measures suggested by the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee (IIAC) the government is gradually releasing lands occupied by the military as High Security Zones (HSZs) in the country, especially in the North.

The Victoria Road which linked the Jaffna-Palaly main road and the Clock Tower road, remained closed for the public due to security reasons since the 51 Division Headquarters and several other military installations had been established in buildings on either side. Releasing Victoria Road on Thursday marked the removal of HSZs in Jaffna town.

The Army on March 17 officially handed over Subash Hotel on Victoria Road in Jaffna town in which the 52 Division Headquarters was established since December 1995, to its owner.

The Ministry said the Army occupies only a few permanent buildings currently on a rental basis with consent of their owners and those buildings will also be handed back to the owners in due course.