The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Replying to the Hon. Member’s supplementary: The project to extend the railway to Habarana was a decision taken around 2019, with the intervention of the then President and Ministers. However, by Cabinet Decision No. 23/0482/608/037 dated 20 March 2023, the Cabinet decided to discontinue this railway project. Consequently, about 4,440 land plots, roughly across 350 hectares, were taken over under Section 38(a) of the Land Acquisition Act.

¶ 02 We have held discussions, including with Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake a few months ago. There are two groups: those owners who were paid advance compensation, and those who were not. Relief should be given. Since years have passed while these lands were taken over and are now to be returned, a fair compensation should be provided. We have submitted a joint Cabinet Memorandum via the Ministry of Lands. Upon observations from the Ministry, we hope to proceed in the fairest manner. The issue raised could also be coordinated through the District Coordinating Committee.