Hon. [Name not clear]

¶ 01 Similarly, in the Muththunagar area where the solar power project was initiated, there are cultivated lands as well as uncultivated lands. People come seasonally and cultivate those lands. We made a decision on that as well. The decision we took is this: in the areas where power purchase agreements have been signed — about 135 families live there; Hon. Roshan Akmeemana, MP, has suggested that between about 110 and 118 of those families in fact do not have land — for the people in the areas where those power purchase agreements have been signed, if they are unable to cultivate this season as they have been doing for their subsistence, we will pay them compensation. We will ascertain how many intend to cultivate this season and provide compensation to all of them.

¶ 02 Next, we will identify those who genuinely do not have land to cultivate and, for their cultivation activities, Hon. Roshan Akmeemana, MP, and others will facilitate the provision of land to them. That will be from other areas, not from within the port area. Because, if we try to stop the power purchase agreements, those parties will file cases. If they do, we will not be able to provide anything.

¶ 03 In short, what we are trying to do now is to completely issue title deeds to the 4,000 families who have been occupying about 2,500 acres which the port has now agreed to release, thereby relieving those people of that hardship. Likewise, for the people who previously came to Muththunagar from time to time to cultivate and who now cannot cultivate due to the project, the Ministry of Power will also provide them compensation for this Maha season. Next, we will also identify those without land for cultivation and issue them title deeds. Hon. Member, we are also working to develop the port there and to establish related industries. Therefore, we make an appeal to the political leaders of the Trincomalee District: this port is your golden asset, the most important resource you have. We ask you to develop it while also protecting the rights of the people.

¶ 04 Hon. Mulasenarasa, Hon. Member, I request 30 seconds from your time.

¶ 05 We are not a government that works ad hoc. We have written policies. People may not remember everything, but our policies are our stone inscriptions. We will implement them, and we have ensured they cannot be violated. However, I have one regret. For 40 to 50 years, through generations, those who represented those areas as Members did not issue title deeds, and now they shout here. When Hon. Roshan Akmeemana, MP, provides title deeds to those people, the groups who rush there and organize strikes for a fee will lose their protection. Hon. Roshan, please also find jobs for those people.

¶ 06 Thank you very much for giving me time, Hon. Mulasenarasa.