The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation—vital to our people’s daily lives. I came to Parliament representing farming communities. Land issues are crucial: people need permits, grant certificates, or deeds. This is especially important in Monaragala District. Every rainy season there are disputes over land boundaries. People have cultivated for 10, 15, even 25 years without permits; when disputes arise and matters go to the Divisional Secretariat or police, the cultivator sometimes cannot secure the land. Therefore, please urgently regularize the issuance of permits, grants, and deeds.

¶ 02 Many who applied for “Urumaya” title deeds are now stranded. Some had permits and grants such as Jayabhoomi, Swarna Bhoomi, Ran Bhoomi. Now, in expectation of “Urumaya,” Divisional Secretaries have cancelled their existing documents and sent files up through the Land Commissioner General’s Department to the Presidential Secretariat. I understand some files have been pending for 6–12 months. Meanwhile, people urgently need grant certificates—for example, to subdivide for a child’s marriage or to mortgage for a loan. When we spoke with the Ministry Secretary recently, it was stated that issuing of “Urumaya” deeds has been halted. Hon. Minister, if that program is halted, please reinstate and validate the prior permits and grants. Alternatively, implement a process to issue notarial (Sinnakkara) deeds.

¶ 03 On irrigation history: over the last 76 years, major works such as Yodha Wewa, Minneriya, and then, via the Mahaweli Program, Victoria and Randenigala, and later Moragahakanda were completed, enabling rice self-sufficiency by the 1980s. Recently, however, the country faced rice shortages. If we properly develop agriculture as we discuss today, we can maintain long-term self-sufficiency. Please ensure fertilizer subsidies are provided on time this coming season; delays occurred previously, and in some places subsidies were paid in Rs. 3,000–4,000 instalments, which made it difficult for the poorest to buy a full stock. Please rectify that.

¶ 04 Uva Wellassa was devastated in 1817; later D.S. Senanayake’s projects—such as Senanayake Samudraya—revived agriculture, though much benefit went to Ampara. Subsequent leaders built Lunugamwehera, Muthukandiya, Udawalawe benefiting Monaragala. I request that the Nakkala Anicut (Kumbukkan Oya Development) project, for which the foundation stone was laid during President Maithripala Sirisena’s tenure, be commenced. If implemented, it will become the main reservoir for Monaragala, providing irrigation to five DS divisions and 100% drinking water to Siyambalanduwa, Madulla, Monaragala, Badalkumbura, and Buttala. Please prioritize this for our people.

¶ 05 People living in and around Yala sanctuaries suffer from wildlife—especially elephants. Meanwhile, lands cultivated for 30–40 years were handed to the Wildlife Department. Although a small portion is being considered for return, I request the release of those traditional farmlands back to the people. Monaragala has long supplied much of the country’s maize and pulses; those cultivators are now in distress. Please release those lands.

¶ 06 I will not go into monkeys and peacocks today, though the problems are immense. But for the life-threatening human–elephant conflict, please implement strong electric fencing to protect both elephants and people.

¶ 07 Thank you for the opportunity.