The three armed forces and the STF presently occupy 264 acres at Ragamwela, 115 acres at Shastrawela, 800 acres at Ulpassa and 240 acre of other land.

However, at Ragamwela, 21 families are illegally occupying some of the land.

The Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha on July 14 took up a complaint made with the Human Rights Commission, seeking a return of the land.

Officials of the Navy, Air Force and the district secretariat participated.

Area resident, 78-year-old Sundaram Somanathan, said the Navy had sought ownership of the land.

Also, the Air Force owned only 25 acres as per the cabinet decision, he said.