"What we didn't have, how could it reach "Udayan" queries Land Minister
Wednesday , 13 March 2013
We do not have any data concerning the lands in custody of forces in the Waligamam north. In this state, how did the information reach the "Udayan" press, was the question raised by Land Minister and within minutes he expressed the figures for the acres of lands in the control of military in the Waligamam north, which sounded contradictions of his statement was said.
A journalist meeting was held two days back at Jaffna district secretariat and this incident occurred.
" President is mentioning that there is nonexistence of high security zones in the country, if it so, 28 thousand people are still not resettled in the 24 grama sevaka divisions in the Waligamam north was a question raised by a local reporter.
At this time Jaffna district military Commander interrupted Minister interrupted and said, "What you are saying are lies”. The report submitted by parliament member A.Vinayagamoorthy is also a lie. At the time President Mahinda Rajapakse visited Jaffna, Tamil National Alliance parliament member A.Vinayagamoorthy submitted a report that 28 thousand people need resettled in 24 grama sevaka divisions.
"If it so, is there are no people waiting for resettlement in the Jaffna district" was again queried by another reporter and in reply Military Commander said, "that's why I told that data is wrong"
Military Commander was queried, "OK, will the people be permitted to get resettled in the 24 grama sevaka divisions; in reply he said "I am once again saying, the report of parliament member A.Vinayagamoorthy is false. We have in our possession only 6 thousand and 224 acres of land. Out of this, deeds are shown to us for 4 thousand and 220 lands. 3 thousand and 800 acres of lands belong to the State and Cement Corporation, Air base, Palay Teachers College are included.
It was questioned, according to your statement, 3 thousand acres of lands belongs to the people and will it be returned to them? Concerning this, Minister said discussion will be held.
"If "Udayan" news item is wrong, according to your statement, the 24 grama sevaka divisions should be released, whether it will be released was another question raised.
"Concerning the above news story of "Udayan" we will complaint to the press complaint Commission was said by Ministry Additional Secretary.
Immediately a reporter asked the Commander "if it so, what military says, is it wrong? In reply Land Minister said, “It is much clear that still there is no accurate details about lands. From today through the office, we would commence the above assignments, but how did this information reach "Udayan" press which I am not aware” was said by the Land Minister.
"You all inform that land details are not in your possession, if it so, still 6 thousand 224 acres of lands are in the control of military and half of it, it is stated as government lands. By which data are you giving this information was a question raised and in reply Minister said “This is an estimated average value but later it will be known" and without permitting more questions to be asked by the Journalists, Minister concluded the media briefing.
State officials are uncertainty in the issues granting lands to forces.
Wednesday , 13 March 2013
At the Jaffna district development committee meeting held on the leadership of Minister Douglas Devananda last year, a decision was unanimously passed that lands will not be granted in the Jaffna district for the forces, and in this state, Land Minister has informed to expedite activities to process in granting lands to forces. Hence the Jaffna district government officials are pushed to a state of confusion in implementing which ministry decision.
Jaffna district Coordination Committee meeting held last year October month at the Jaffna District Secretariat Conference hall.
The entire Tamil National Alliance Jaffna district parliament members attended the meeting emphasized that lands requested by the forces in the Jaffna district should not be granted.
Minister Douglas Devananda consented to this, and a decision of not granting lands to forces in the Jaffna district was unanimously implemented.
In this state, Sri Lanka government’s Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakone, Minister of Land and Lands Development visited Jaffna district two days back.
He held discussions with divisional secretaries and officials of the three forces at the Jaffna district secretariat.
At the discussion he said, the lands required by the forces in the Jaffna district, activities should be expedited to provide, and to accelerate in forwarding the "no objection" letter in granting lands to the forces, and to ignore the Coordination Committee meeting decision.
Due to Sri Lanka government’s two Minister's positive and negatives decisions, the state officials are confused and pushed to a state of which directive to follow.
