The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 GAZETTE NOTIFICATION ON ACQUISITION OF TRADITIONAL LANDS OF TAMIL PEOPLE IN NORTH AND EAST

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, you had to call my name about six times, hence I had to rise repeatedly.

¶ 03 In the North and East, many lands are still occupied by military camps. Most lands remain with the military. Many people are still displaced, living with relatives, friends, or in camps. Particularly in Palaly, over 3,000 acres have been occupied by the military, forcing people off their own lands to live elsewhere. In Kilinochchi urban area, nearly 41 per cent of lands are with the military. Between 1956-1970, 26,000 Tamil families were expelled from Anuradhapura; they have not yet been resettled.

¶ 04 At such a time when our people are refugees away from their lands, a Gazette has been issued for the acquisition of lands in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu. Under Standing Order 27(2), I ask the following from the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Hon. K. T. Lal Kantha:

¶ 05 1. Is the Minister aware that Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430 dated 28.03.2025 has been issued to acquire traditional lands of Tamils in the Northern and Eastern Provinces?

¶ 06 2. For what purpose are these lands required under that Gazette? Why is there urgency to acquire about 5,700 acres?

¶ 07 3. When people displaced by the long war in the North and East are still living domestically and abroad, in relatives’ and friends’ homes and in camps, without releasing their lands, what is the intention behind this acquisition Gazette?

¶ 08 4. As many Tamil people lost their land documents during the long war, how can they claim land ownership under this new Gazette? Will the Minister inform this august House?