The Government has no plans to acquire lands owned by the people of the Northern and the Eastern Provinces and the aim of the Government is to promptly return land ownership to those who rightfully own them, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a discussion in Committee Room No. 1 of Parliament on Friday to resolve the issues related to land ownership faced by the people of the Northern and the Eastern Provinces.
Members of Parliament representing the North and the East said that there is a prevailing suspicion among the public due to the procedures followed by previous Governments in clarifying land ownership in these regions and that many rightful landowners lack proper documentation to prove ownership while emphasising the need for a structured process that regains public trust.
They said that some people have fraudulently taken possession of lands and that the people trust the Government to deliver a fair solution to the issue.
Dr. Amarasuriya reiterated that the Government has agreed that the granting of the land ownership to the people should be conducted in a legal and verified manner through a proper mechanism that eliminates public doubts and said the Government has no intention of acquiring the lands of the people under any circumstances.
The Prime Minister told officials that the Government will engage in discussions with the people and relevant sectors to find an appropriate solution and will take steps in this regard.
The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, Deputy Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, and Secretary to the Ministry D.P. Wickramasinghe, Additional Solicitor General Vikum De Abrew, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri and public representatives from the Northern and the Eastern Provinces.
