Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Similarly, livestock is a major resource of our country. Today we have become a country that imports milk powder. However, what we see are actions that reduce livestock resources. In the Trincomalee District that I represent, there is no proper pastureland for cattle. Therefore, I request the Government to identify areas and take steps to convert part of the Kanthalai Sugar Factory estate into pastureland, at least for the dry season, to maintain cattle from various areas such as Kinniya, Kanthalai, Thambalagamuwa and Mullippothanai. We ask that suitable land be allocated for this purpose.

¶ 02 In some places, cattle from one area are left to graze on pastures in another area, which leads to communal tensions. Therefore, Hon. Minister, please pay attention to this matter in our district and provide a solution on which lands should be allocated as pasture for the cattle in our areas.

¶ 03 We also ask for clarity on how the Kanthalai Sugar Factory lands have been distributed to the public. Specifically, were lands given to people based on long-term residence, to those who seized land through force, or to those who engaged in cultivation on those lands? Please clarify. The Kanthalai Sugar Factory estate is a major resource of the Trincomalee District. On that basis, everyone has a responsibility to protect it through a proper plan and to distribute lands accordingly.

¶ 04 One of the most critical issues in this country is land disputes. In the Trincomalee District, there are also boundary issues of Divisional Secretariat divisions—particularly the boundaries of Kinniya, Kanthalai, Kuchchaveli and Gomarangadawala Divisional Secretariats. Because of these boundary issues, various activities are being pursued in multiple ways in those areas. We urge the Hon. Minister and the Government to provide solutions to these boundary-related problems.

¶ 05 Many lands cultivated by the public—especially those abandoned due to the war—are now said to belong to the Forest Department. We also hear they belong to the Department of Archaeology; some are said to belong to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority; some to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority; some to the Department of Wildlife Conservation; some to the Coastal Conservation Department; and some even to the Defence establishment. If all these departments claim ownership, how can people live there?

¶ 06 Further, due to human–elephant conflict, there are many problems. Please take steps to find solutions.

¶ 07 In our Kappalthurai (Harbour) Grama Niladhari Division, there are many land issues. I raised these in the Committee Stage debate of the Ministry of Ports as well. Lands of farmers and long-time residents are being taken away. I submit for Hansard a newspaper article published on this matter. We ask the Government to come forward with a sound solution for these land issues in the Trincomalee District.

¶ 08 In the past, even when issuing land title deeds, some areas were neglected—especially the Kuchchaveli area. I request the Government to proceed with issuing permits for lands in that area. With that, I conclude my speech.