The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I move the following Adjournment Motion:

¶ 02 “In the Trincomalee District, in the Town and Gravets Divisional Secretariat Division, lands in eleven Grama Niladhari divisions—Linganagar, Puliyankulam, Poombuhar, Singhapura, Sumedhankarapura, Kappalthurai, Munthunagar, Kavadikuda, China Port, Nachchikuda, and Vellaimanal—were vested in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under Gazette No. 314/10 of 12.09.1984, pursuant to Act No. 51 of 1979.

¶ 03 Though there have been several discussions, including at the Trincomalee District Coordinating Committee meeting on 26.02.2025, about releasing these lands to the long-time settlers, to date no final action has been taken. The SLPA holds about 2,555 hectares; of these, about 1,219 hectares have been identified as essential to the SLPA, where approximately 800 families reside; and about 790 hectares have been identified as not essential to the SLPA, where approximately 4,672 families reside. This House recommends that steps be taken to release the non-essential lands to the resident families.”

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, Town and Gravets is the most populous DS Division in Trincomalee. These 11 GN divisions have about 5,500 families living on lands vested in the Ports Authority in 1984, many with government-issued permits or approvals. For 40 years, these people have lived in uncertainty, reluctant to invest in their homes, fearing loss of rights and inability to pass lands to their children.

¶ 05 After we assumed office, we held several rounds of discussions with the DS, GA, and SLPA; and with the Hon. Minister of Ports, Hon. Bimal Rathnayake. I am pleased those talks were successful. As an outcome, a significant extent not essential for future Trincomalee Port development was identified, and it was agreed that lands housing around 5,000 families could be released. We have taken the political decision; completing the administrative process will take some time. I urge that it be expedited so that, after 40 years of suffering, these families can receive legal title to their homelands.

¶ 06 Thank you.