The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary:

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, within the Lakugala and Pottuvil DS limits, about 502 acres of paddy lands long cultivated by Pottuvil farmers have been left uncultivated since 2000. These are not owned by the Forest Department or the Department of Wildlife. Communities from two DS divisions claim them. During the previous Government, at a meeting held in the Parliament complex chaired by the Hon. President with officials of the relevant departments, it was decided to divide and allocate these lands. Due to changes of Government, implementation has stalled. On this basis, DSs and farmers have agreed to divide them equally—about 250 acres each to Lakugala and Pottuvil. This was also decided at the Ampara DCC. To expedite cultivation, can a committee comprising the Government Agent, DSs of Lakugala and Pottuvil, DCC Chairman and others be appointed to divide and allocate these lands?