The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I answer the question.

¶ 02 (a) (i) 2013.06.20.

¶ 03 (ii) Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

¶ 04 (iii) Rs. 48,355.30 million.

¶ 05 (iv) Water is supplied as follows: - Through the Left Bank Canal to areas under Jayanthiya Wewa in the Anuradhapura District: Oumarakada, Issanwewa, Sivalakulama, Usgalpitiya, Kumbukwewa and the cultivation areas under Padaviya reservoir. - Through the Right Bank Canal to areas in the Trincomalee District: Mahasorowwa, Indulhitiyawa, Thalgaswewa, Moragama, Bellikkadawela, 8065, Adiyagala, Nabadewa, areas from 66/36 to Neelapanikkam Kulam and cultivation areas under the Pulmoddai anicut.

¶ 06 (v) A feasibility study has been conducted. The said feasibility study was carried out by the Department of Irrigation.

¶ 07 (vi) Not applicable.

¶ 08 (vii) The question asks for the expected date of completion. This is a long-delayed and problem-laden project. We extended the date to 2025.12.31. However, to complete the remaining works, a Cabinet Memorandum has been submitted to extend the project period up to 2026.12.31.

¶ 09 Under the Yan Oya Reservoir Project, land acquisition has been carried out as follows, by number of land lots.

¶ 10 (b) Details of acquisitions and compensation status up to now are as follows:

¶ 11 - Reservoir land acquisition: - Divisional Secretariat Divisions and numbers of total lots acquired, lots vested in the State, and lots compensated are recorded; for example: - Horowpothana: 2,699 lots total. - Gomarankadawala: 1,232 total; 310 vested in State; 922 compensated.

¶ 12 - Left Bank Canal land acquisition: - Divisional Secretariat Divisions and numbers: - Kebitigollewa, Horowpothana, Padaviya, Sripura; e.g., Horowpothana: 365 total; 13 vested in State. (Full tabulation available with the project files.)

¶ 13 Among these, houses of settled residents acquired for reservoir construction are: - Gomarankadawala (Kaju Watta and Malporuwa): 201 families.

¶ 14 These acquisitions were carried out under the regular Land Acquisition procedure and payments were made at the valuation determined by the Department of Valuation. In addition, allowances and alternative lands due under Ministry of Lands Circular 1/2016 have been provided to those families.

¶ 15 Lands required for resettlement have been identified: - For Trincomalee District (Gomarankadawala DS): - Paddy lands: Kohombagaswewa area. - High lands: Malporuwa and Kaju Watta areas. - For Anuradhapura District (Kebitigollewa DS): - Paddy lands: Issanwewa area. - High lands: Wahalkada area. - For Anuradhapura District (Padaviya DS): - Paddy lands: Oumarakada Wewa area. - High lands: Oumarakada area.

¶ 16 Compensation methodology: - Payments have been made as per valuation. Additionally, allowances and alternative lands have been provided in line with Circular 1/2016.

¶ 17 Current status: - For acquired high and low (upland and paddy) lands, there remain some pending land payments; however, for families whose residential lands were acquired, all payments have been completed.

¶ 18 Outstanding compensation (illustrative figures presented in the House): - Reservoir-affected lands pending full compensation: - Horowpothana: 28 lots. - Gomarankadawala: 23 lots. - Total: 51 lots. - Left Bank Canal-affected lands pending full compensation: - Divisional Secretariats: Horowpothana, Kebitigollewa, Padaviya, Sripura. (Numbers tabled in project documentation.)

¶ 19 Provision of alternative lands under Circular 1/2016: - The prevailing issue is delay in providing alternative lands. - In Trincomalee District (Gomarankadawala DS), all families have been provided with alternative lands, with the following status: - Alternative paddy lands: Indulhitiyawa area (40 plots under development; tree removal delays cited). - Alternative high lands: Malporuwa, Moragama; totals as recorded.

¶ 20 Anuradhapura District (Horowpothana DS): - For reservoir-affected: - Families requiring alternative paddy lands: 1,113. - Provided: - Oumarakada: 56 families. - Issanwewa: 403 families. - Opted for cash instead of alternative paddy land: 536 families. - Still requesting cash instead of alternative paddy land: 127 families. - Upon receipt of required confirmations and approvals, these issues can be resolved.

¶ 21 Left Bank Canal route: - As per Cabinet approval, issues regarding alternative paddy land were resolved by paying the assessed value.

¶ 22 (b)(vi) Delays in compensation have occurred where valuation sheets have not reached the Divisional Secretaries and where title clarification has been delayed.

¶ 23 (c) Not applicable.

¶ 24 Further remarks: There is a significant problem for the public in the area. While land has been given to those whose houses were submerged, issues remain in providing alternative upland and paddy lands. A committee headed by two former Ministry Secretaries, M.K. Dissanayake and Sarath Wijesinghe, was appointed to recommend solutions. Based on their recommendations, we are proceeding with compensation and provision of alternative lands, targeting completion of compensation within this year, with funds allocated. For agricultural infrastructure (field canal networks, etc.) on lands taken from the Forest Department to be developed for paddy, the Department of Irrigation will carry out works this year and into next year. Our plan is to finish these works within the first months of 2026 and ensure farmers can commence cultivation by the third quarter of 2026 at the latest.