The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, Hon. Kugathasan has raised an issue concerning lands in the Verugal DS Division, which falls within the Seruwila–Allai Sanctuary area. That sanctuary was gazetted on 09.10.1970.

¶ 02 When a sanctuary is gazetted, the rights of existing residents to enjoy and use their private lands remain. People are not evicted simply because an area is named a sanctuary. For example, this Parliament building and its environs lie within the Sri Jayewardenepura Sanctuary; residents face no difficulty where they hold title and can carry out necessary constructions.

¶ 03 Where there is no private title but state lands are involved, obtaining approvals for certain constructions can create some difficulties—we acknowledge that.

¶ 04 The problem raised in Verugal is not confined to that area. Similar issues exist in the North and East and in other districts such as Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, particularly due to designations as sanctuaries and reserves. In some areas of the North and East, reserve declarations have created significant issues.

¶ 05 Under Sustainable Forest Management in 2023, with Cabinet approval, a committee was appointed to identify lands unfairly affected and to recommend de-gazetting where necessary. That process has been underway. However, we recognize that by the time reports were tabled, problems had not been fully resolved.

¶ 06 After our government assumed office, the Cabinet, on 25.08.2025, approved a committee under Sustainable Forest Management to complete the task within six months. That committee is engaging District Secretaries, marking correct boundaries, identifying those with long-standing enjoyment or lawful entitlement to lands, freeing such lands, and considering how to de-gazette where appropriate.

¶ 07 This issue affects the entirety of Trincomalee District, not only Verugal. It has been discussed at the District Coordinating Committee as well. The regularization process is moving forward. We expect that, on the committee’s recommendations, lands with long-standing use will be freed accordingly.

¶ 08 Further, with respect to Seruwila–Allai Sanctuary, no injustice will be done to farmers and the public with long-standing enjoyment and lawful rights, nor to government offices, places of worship or schools. Based on the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee and the District Secretary’s committee, we are in the process of freeing for the people those lands they have enjoyed since 1970. Thank you.