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) In the Dehiattakandiya DS Division of Mahaweli System C, 16 telecommunication towers have been erected: - Sandunpura Division: 06 - Medagama Division: 05 - Siripura Division: 03 - Mahawanawela Division: 02

¶ 03 (ii) Process: For a proposed site, with recommendations of the Physical Planning Committee and linear agencies, papers are first sent for Board of Directors’ approval. Upon Board approval and the subject Minister’s formal lease approval, the relevant institution is allowed to commence construction via a handing-over report. Thereafter, a long-term lease is granted under the State Lands Ordinance.

¶ 04 (iii) Current status by location (lease/vesting/approvals): - Sandunpura (06 towers): No formal lease approvals; not formally alienated. - Medagama (05 towers): - Henanigala North (Dialog): Alienated under State Lands Ordinance on Director General’s covering approval pending formal lease approval. - Ihala Gama (Mobitel): Physical Planning Committee recommended; no formal lease approval; not formally alienated. - Pahala Gama (Hutch) and Kudagama (Mobitel): Alienated after obtaining formal lease approval under State Lands Ordinance. - Medagama (Dialog): Alienated under State Lands Ordinance on Director General’s covering approval. - Siripura (03 towers): - Dehiattakandiya (Hutch) and (Dialog): No formal lease approval; possession handed over via handing-over report. - Ridiyala (Dialog): Alienated after obtaining formal lease approval under State Lands Ordinance. - Mahawanawela (02 towers): - Mahawanawela (Mobitel): No formal lease approval; not formally alienated. - Samanlathenna (Hutch): Alienated on Director General’s covering approval under the State Lands Ordinance pending formal lease approval.

¶ 05 (b) (i) In cases where a tower is proposed on a plot already disposed to an individual, as per Circular 2/1/65/Circular/2021 of 2021.12.30, the existing land grant/permit is taken back to the State and a long-term lease is issued in the name of the original grantee/permit holder for the area required for the tower, and thereafter an interim lease is granted to the telecom company.

¶ 06 (ii) In the original plan (Plan No. 304), a portion marked for “workshop” has been allocated for a Buddhist Centre, and another site has been allocated for industrial activities. The allocated site is shown in the annex (placed in the Library).

¶ 07 (iii) In Nawamedagama, Dehiattakandiya DS, the Dialog tower is on Lot 1 of Block No. D.S.Q.4956 (extent 0.5635 ha). No lease payments have been collected as formal lease approval has not been granted.

¶ 08 (c) Not applicable.

¶ 09 Further remarks: We are compiling details of long-term lease lands granted for projects under the Mahaweli Authority to verify use for the intended purpose and payment status. If lease payments are in arrears or lands are not used for the approved purpose, we will act per lease agreements, including repossession where applicable. Nationwide, there are many towers erected with complex land/lease issues; we are streamlining processes with the Land Commissioner General’s Department. Companies state willingness to pay; we must regularize the mechanism.