The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku - Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, we all know the Palaly–Achchuveli road was closed due to security conditions in 1990. Fifteen years have passed since the end of the war in 2009. In 2024, this road was still not opened. Shortly after we assumed office, we opened it.

¶ 02 Roads and ancestral lands are matters felt in the heart — places of birth and the paths people travel are deeply sensitive. As a Government, we approach these with due seriousness. Accordingly, beyond this road, we are reviewing all roads closed due to security across the country with proper studies and field inspections, with a view to reopening them. We even opened the road in front of the Presidential Secretariat. In all provinces — North, East, South — we are preparing plans to reopen such roads after due assessment.

¶ 03 Two issues were raised in this debate; one concerns the airport road. The reason the road is closed is that it runs through the Air Force base. We cannot permit that route through the middle of the base. However, as proposed, we hope to open the southern-side route. Field studies have been carried out with Air Force officers and the Batticaloa Municipal Council. The Air Force has agreed to construct the road entirely within lands under the Air Force so that not even one square inch belonging to local residents is taken. We will build it entirely inside the fence, and all necessary approvals have already been obtained. The Air Force has consented to provide their land for this. We believe we can proceed with development work from there and do this very quickly. For clarity, the current closed road runs through the Air Force base rather than strictly the civilian airport.

¶ 04 Regarding lands, we obtained a response from the Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat. It states:

¶ 05 “Since approximately 40 years have elapsed, evidence to identify the rightful owners is very limited. Therefore, without a proper due process, there is no legal authority to issue deeds and permits. Accordingly, at present, land permits are being issued only under the land lease system, based on land value, with special approval of the Land Commissioner General. No other special charges are levied. However, once the genuine owners are properly verified, the Divisional Secretary has already requested the Land Commissioner General to grant approval to issue these lands to the people as outright grants.”

¶ 06 These processes commenced after our Government took office. As Hon. Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said, the pace can be slow, but the process has begun. We are committed as a Government to ensuring people have the right to live where they were born and to move freely in their areas. The mandate we received came from the whole country; unlike past governments, we are not a government born of one region. We understand that mandate and are acting accordingly, with instructions from the President to proceed in this manner and to ensure all communities are treated equally and can live freely. Hon. Archchuna, please keep us informed on related matters; we will look into them and act. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 07 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 08 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 6.25 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 pursuant to the Resolution of Parliament of 21st February, 2025.