The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 We have discussed this repeatedly. Promises were made to give the people the required lands. As this is a World Bank-supported project, proper assessments were to be done and due compensation paid. Please consider this carefully. They are from the same villages. Hon. Minister, they expect to be given land in Nagastenna or nearby estates. As said, most are small tea-holders. They prefer to receive land together in one location because they are often relatives and wish to live collectively. If such a resettlement program is prepared, there will be no issue. They are not opposed now—though at the start, with political agitation, they were. We will not play politics with this. If you are going to proceed, ensure fairness. Some of your politicians are saying “this will not be implemented” to reap political gain. I say, do not allow that; development works should proceed. Even if you opposed certain things before, we are not on that line. We support development, flood-control, and drinking-water projects—implemented without harming our people, ensuring fairness, and providing proper land and compensation. If you come to the area and intervene, convene the group and give assurances, there will be no problem. I request that you do so.