The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I first express my heartfelt thanks for bringing this Motion on an issue affecting all communities in Trincomalee. The Gazette was issued in 1984 when Lalith Athulathmudali was Minister handling ports and other portfolios—perhaps linked to a port development plan then, but my research could not confirm. The bigger problem arose because not only homestead lands but also paddy lands were taken, and since 1984 even basic improvements like toilets were disallowed.

¶ 02 Though our late leader M.H.M. Ashraff and our current leader both served as Ministers in charge of Ports, the war period prevented reconsideration. I thank the Government for now moving to release these lands.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, there was a small protest in Trincomalee today because portions of these lands have reportedly been allocated to four companies for solar power generation, though the original vesting was for SLPA needs. Subject to correction, I understand protests were about those allocations.

¶ 04 The Motion lacks specific demarcations—how many acres to be released and the Gazette steps. This is a 40-year-old issue affecting Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities alike, with cultivation lands also involved. We appreciate the plan to release lands not essential to SLPA to the people.

¶ 05 I also request that, once the criteria are set and lands released, priority be given to those residing and cultivating there after 1970 and before 1984, and that the process be transparent and fair to all those genuinely entitled. Thank you.