The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my question concerns the impact on the demography of the North and East due to land allocation under the Mahaweli development project, particularly allocation by ethnic ratios and its effects.

¶ 02 For decades, Tamil political representatives and affected local communities have alleged that land allocation and settlement under Mahaweli has altered demographic balances in traditionally Tamil areas, claiming planned Sinhalese settlements by Sinhala-Buddhist majoritarian governments in violation of ethnic ratios prescribed when allocating State lands under the relevant circulars. Recently, activities linked to the Kivul Oya project in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, and issues over pasturelands such as Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai, have increased public concern about settlement policy and equitable access to resources including irrigation. This is a matter of urgent public importance. I seek clarifications:

¶ 03 1) Under the 13th Amendment, Appendix II of the Ninth Schedule requires consideration of ethnic ratios in State land allocation. District-wise, how much land has been allocated under Mahaweli by ethnicity? Provide ethnic-wise details. 2) From the inception of Mahaweli projects to date, what is the total acreage allocated to each community, and how many families of each community benefited? 3) For the Kivul Oya project in the Northern Province, how many acres are being obtained under Mahaweli? How many families from the North have been settled so far and how many are planned? What was the selection methodology? 4) Of the farmlands and pasturelands previously used by local communities, including in Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai, how much has been brought under Mahaweli? 5) We understand 13,000 acres are to be used for Kivul Oya. If so, what is the issue in releasing 3,000 hectares from Mahaweli System ‘L’ for agriculture and pasture in Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai? 6) We learn a new Mahaweli ‘C-a’ (C sub-area) is planned. Where will it be created, what is its extent, and what is its objective? 7) What measures has the Ministry taken to prevent displacement, demographic change, or marginalization of local ethnic communities due to land allocation policies?

¶ 04 Further, Mahaweli waters do not reach our populations in these areas, yet earth removal and other activities have caused severe flood impacts—Batticaloa farmers are badly affected, unable even to sell a bushel of paddy at Rs. 5,000. They are also told insurance cannot be provided as they could not register within the prescribed dates due to floods. Hence these questions.