The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment
The Minister provided statistical details on forest and wildlife lands in Monaragala District, stating that 228,001 hectares are under the Forest Conservation Department and 170,752 hectares under the Wildlife Conservation Department. He said 20,760 hectares were handed over to Divisional Secretaries in 2021, of which 472.082 hectares were released on long-term lease to named parties including the Ceylon Electricity Board and several private entities. He also detailed the extents of Wandama and Demaliya forests under Forest Department administration and the portions released, including 256.248 hectares leased in Buttala and none in Wellawaya.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I answer as follows.
¶ 02 (a) (i) Total land area of Monaragala District: 503,900 hectares. (ii) Under the Department of Forest Conservation: 228,001 ha (40.43%). Under the Department of Wildlife Conservation: 170,752 ha (30.28%). (iii) Lands declared as reserved/protected by law; state‑acquirable forest; not already vested by any other statute in a specific institution; and lands without validly held private title are administered under the Department of Forest Conservation. (iv) Extent handed over to Divisional Secretaries in 2021 by the Department of Forest Conservation: 20,760 ha. (v) Of that, released on long‑term lease: 472.082 ha. (vi) Lessees include: - In Siyambalanduwa DS Division: Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) - In Buttala DS Division: Nelna Agri Development (Pvt) Ltd; Ms. Anusha Fernando (of Kalubowila/Dehiwala); Mr. Wimalanath (of Kalubowila/Dehiwala); Henalife (Pvt) Ltd, Pannipitiya. (vii) “Wandama–Demaliya” forests now under Forest Department administration: - Wandama Forest: 548.3 ha - Demaliya Forest: 2,711 ha Extents released from Wandama (within Buttala DS): 1,714.728 ha. (viii) Of those released in Buttala DS: 256.248 ha on lease. In Wellawaya DS: none released. (b) Not applicable.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Friday, 23 January 2026 ·No. 23290 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 23 January 2026. No. 23290. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/14314