The Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyaratne, has assured that steps will be taken soon to release the land and building of the Point Pedro Post Office, which remains under Sri Lankan military control, during a meeting with senior postal officials of the Northern Province. The release of the militarised Point Pedro post office was raised during the discussion. The Point Pedro Post Office building, opened in 1971, became non-operational during the armed conflict, and has remained under the control of the Sri Lankan military ever since. Just weeks ago the Deputy Minister of Defence pledged to release land in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, even as he confirmed to parliament that a further 1,661 acres in the North-East would be permanently seized and never returned. The post office is itself one of several sites in Point Pedro still held by the armed forces.