The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are fortunate to have the opportunity now to resolve a land issue that arose in the 1980s in Trincomalee. Despite appeals over the years—during the times of senior leaders from Hon. Imran Maharoof’s and Hon. Nizam Kariapper’s parties who also held the Ports portfolio—this could not be resolved then. We consider it significant that we can do so now.

¶ 02 Specifically, in the Town and Gravets DS Division, 11 GN divisions—Linganagar, Matko (Puliyankulam), Poombuhar, Singhapura, Sumedhankarapura, Kappalthurai, Munthunagar, Kavadikuda, China Kuda, Nachchikuda, and Vellaimanal—are included. Under the DS’s direct supervision and involving SLPA, we have identified lands. Arrangements are underway to issue permits for about 4,500–5,000 families; about 800 hectares are to be released.

¶ 03 Regarding Muththunagar, an actively discussed location, permits for around 186 families for homestead lands are being arranged, while agricultural land issues are addressed separately. This is a significant achievement. Going forward, we will address other land issues in Trincomalee in a proper, structured manner. Thank you.