With the improvement in the security situation in the Jaffna peninsula, the farmers who own paddy land in the Ariyalai East High Security Zone (HSZ) have got the opportunity to cultivate their land. According to the Army Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQJ), the farmers have been allowed to cultivate 103 acres of land that lies between the Ariyalai railway track and Jaffna-Kandy road (A-9) from 17 August.

73 farmers who had registered with the Ariyalai East Farmers' association commenced their work on Sunday (Aug 18). The sources said that the each farmer have been issued a special identity card by the civil military coordination office of 512 brigade.

The officials of the farmers association have welcomed the security forces' decision to allow the lands for the cultivation work. They have called the decision a vital confidence building measure between the civilian community and the security forces.