The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi

¶ 01 Department of Archaeology

¶ 02 There are no lands declared as archaeological reserves in the Mannar District. However, the following places in the Vavuniya and Mullaitivu Districts have been declared as archaeological protected areas:

¶ 03 In the Northern Province, in Vavuniya District, within the Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat Division, in Agbong Puragama, the site known as “Mamaduwa” has been declared an archaeological area by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2290/33 dated 2022.07.28, pursuant to approval granted on 2019.10.22 and as described in Supplement No. 11 and Sheet No. 13 dated 2019.10.16. It comprises Lot No. 336, an extent of 268 acres, 0 roods, 27.0 perches (10.7922 hectares) in Edoasyd Grama Niladhari Division, a pre-historic–early historic cemetery complex. This land is owned by the Government.

¶ 04 In the Northern Province, Mullaitivu District, within the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat Division, in GN MU/83, at Sembiyankallady, the Nayaru archaeological area comprises Lots No. 2071 and 2073, as per the Final Village Plan No. 70 approved for the Surveyor General and approved on 2019.11.18 by K.V.S.P. Kakulawala, Senior Superintendent of Surveys, Mullaitivu District, and referenced in Supplement No. 20 and Plan No. 718 dated 2019.10.07. Lot No. 2071 is 298 acres, 1 rood, 8.3 perches (11.8578 hectares) and Lot No. 2073 is 368 acres, 0 roods, 39.4 perches (14.9715 hectares). This is a monumental ruins site. These lands are owned by the Government.

¶ 05 Mr. Speaker, in summary, 10.79 hectares in Vavuniya District, 11.85 hectares in one area of Mullaitivu District, and 14.97 hectares in another area of Mullaitivu District have been declared as archaeological areas by the Department of Archaeology.

¶ 06 Ministry of Defence

¶ 07 In the Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu Districts, the lands used by the Tri-Forces belong to the Department of Forest Conservation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation and are used under various annual permits issued for that purpose.

¶ 08 Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 09 Information regarding 14 protected places within the Mannar District is contained in the responses furnished by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest Conservation.

¶ 10 Department of Wildlife Conservation

¶ 11 - During 2009–2015, when certain lands were declared as reserves, no applications for land alienation were made in respect of those lands due to their protected status. At present, all requests come through the District Secretaries, and a specific number of 58 families has not been indicated. - All lands under the Department have been declared by Gazette.

¶ 12 Department of Forest Conservation

¶ 13 - At the time of declaring forest reserves, there were no settlements by the general public within those lands. - Pursuant to Circular No. 5/2001, among forests under the administration of the Forest Conservation Department, boundary posts were established upon conferring reserve status. Accordingly, through the Sustainable Forest Management Programme commenced around 2022, action has been taken to identify in Vavuniya District only (excluding Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi) lands suitable to be released from reservation and to free individuals unjustly affected with regard to their permit lands and privately-owned lands and certain middle-class lands. An extent of 9,123.78 hectares (22,804.45 acres) has been identified in Vavuniya District for release.

¶ 14 Department of Wildlife Conservation

¶ 15 - An inquiry has been made in this regard. To assess the potential release of wildlife lands, Environmental Sensitivity Assessments must be conducted. Guidelines have already been issued to the relevant District Secretaries. Upon receipt of those reports, further action can be taken. Approval of recommendations rests with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. - The total figure cited includes both the Forest Conservation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Department. When wildlife lands alone are considered, the value is lower.

¶ 16 Department of Forest Conservation

¶ 17 - Due to the contentious situation, applications by affected residents were obtained through all Divisional Secretaries of the relevant districts and, since 2022, multiple discussions were held with the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, the Forest Department, District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries of Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, and local political authorities. With the approval of the District Land Use Committees and District Coordinating Committees, matters were submitted to an inter-ministerial committee. Field measurements were initiated using GPS with participation of Grama Niladharis, Land Officers and Survey Department representatives. Due to objections from certain groups, public representatives and responsible officials in the districts, the process was temporarily suspended in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi. However, areas identified for potential release from reservation include 17,449.0 hectares (43,099.03 acres) in Mullaitivu and 2,896.0 hectares (7,153.12 acres) in Mannar. In Vavuniya, the task was completed, and 9,123.78 hectares (22,804.45 acres) have been approved by the Presidential Secretariat for release to the public, with boundary demarcation commenced accordingly. Further, where old boundary posts conflicted with current GPS-based demarcations, instructions were given to remove posts placed on private/public lands outside the reserves and fix posts along the accurate reserve boundaries.

¶ 18 Mr. Speaker, additionally, at the Cabinet meeting held on August 25, a decision was taken to appoint a ministerial sub-committee to review and confirm lands suitable to be released from reservation, comprising the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Environment, Department of Forest Conservation, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Mahaweli Authority, Coast Conservation Department, Department of Archaeology, relevant District Secretaries, Provincial Land Commissioners, and relevant District Land Use Officers, and to consider any grievances and take necessary action.

¶ 19 Department of Wildlife Conservation

¶ 20 - The 2009 Strategic Environmental Assessment conducted with the participation of the Central Environmental Authority and several institutions identified environmentally valuable lands. Reservations were declared in line with its recommendations.

¶ 21 Department of Forest Conservation

¶ 22 - There is no such issue pertaining to the Forest Conservation Department, Mr. Speaker.