The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are discussing a very sensitive issue that must be concluded swiftly. Since the end of the war, representing my party, I have engaged politically in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar, and as Minister I have met people there repeatedly. Their principal plea has been to clear and return their lands.

¶ 02 A key recent issue has been that the Forest Department and Wildlife Department have marked people’s lands in the North as belonging to those institutions. We discussed this at the last Cabinet. Some lands are under Wildlife, some under Forest, but among them are lands long used by people. Therefore, via a joint Cabinet Paper, we decided to appoint a committee—comprising the Environment Minister and myself—to resolve this quickly and return all such lands to the people. We will submit measures to the next Cabinet and move with honesty and speed.

¶ 03 Regarding the Gazette now in question: it covers four districts and four Divisional Secretariat divisions. Given historical experience, people may have suspicions; that is understandable. The people ask at least to clear the lands that can be verified now. We will promptly give back those verifiable lands.

¶ 04 Further, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, with the Attorney-General, all MPs representing the North and East, and relevant officials, we will meet to decide. On the 23rd at 11.00 a.m. in Parliament, MPs of the North and East, the AG and officials will discuss and take final decisions.

¶ 05 We are committed to swiftly granting lands to the people, listening to your views, respecting the law, and ensuring fairness. There is no intent to appropriate lands to the State. If the Gazette must be halted, we will do so according to law. We can find the proper mechanism. Let us decide on the 23rd, with your cooperation.

¶ 06 Thank you.