The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish to add a few points in support of the Adjournment Motion brought by Hon. Kugathasan. The land acquisition issue in Verugal is a serious problem affecting the area. Out of the 32,042 acres in the Division, 25,242 acres are claimed by the Wildlife Department, and a further 6,800 acres are claimed by other agencies, with boundary disputes and overlaps. I do not think any other area in Sri Lanka has such a situation.

¶ 02 Within the very territory claimed by the Wildlife Department, there exist the Divisional Secretariat, Divisional Council, GN Offices, a hospital, post offices, National Water Supply Board and other government institutions. Development activities are heavily impacted. Therefore, as a part of government, the relevant Ministry must provide a solution.

¶ 03 This issue has been discussed in Divisional and District Coordinating Committee meetings. The government has a responsibility to resolve it. Verugal has faced multiple adversities—war destruction and natural disasters like floods. If we fail to resolve this land-claim issue, it will hinder future development.

¶ 04 Even when allocations are made by government, such problems prevent effective use by the Divisional Secretariat. Development initiatives by the Divisional Secretary, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and Members are stalled. Many resolutions passed at the Divisional Coordinating Committee cannot be implemented.

¶ 05 Therefore, this Motion is timely and commendable. We believe no one would accept the injustices caused there. We request the government to act with compassion and bring a solution. I second the Motion. Thank you.