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Sinharaja Forest borders be revested in Ministry of Forestry Resources -Marapana

From P.D.A.S. Gunasekera Ratnapura group correspondent

A land-grabbing movement around the Sinharaja Forest was the 'burning question' at the DCC meeting held in the Samurdhi-Hall at the New Town, Ratnapura.

The monthly session was presided over by the joint-Chairmen, the Defence Minister Tilak Marapana and the SPC Chief Minister, Mohan Ellawala.

Sinharaja was a national asset and a heritage and should be protected from the 'unscrupulous', high or low, attempting to destroy its natural environment. Not only Nildeniya but also all other lands similarly situated on the borders of the Sinharaja Forest will be vested in the Rakwana Land Reform Commission should be taken over and re-vest them in the Ministry of Forestry Resources, suggested the Minister of Defence, Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation addressing the officials, both SPC and the State, on January 27.

The Minister's suggestions were a sequel to the revelations made by the SPC - Chairman, Atula Karunaratna supported by the rest of the members of the council, regarding the surreptitious attempts of the Rakwana L.R.C. - Branch at Embilipitiya to alienate five hundred and two acres of land on the borders of the Sinharaja Forest in Nildeniya, to the private entrepreneurs.

Karunaratne clarifying further added that the lands, in question being within the catchment area were of great significance and should not be allowed to be grabbed by private entrepreneurs, with the connivance of the officials for private gain at any cost.

Minister Marapana after considering the facts and figures put before him, promptly decided upon a course of action supported by the members of the council. The plan included his own suggestions to defeat the alienation attempts by taking over, all lands around Sinharaja Forest and re-vesting them in the Ministry of Forestry Resources with strict instructions to the officials of the errant L.R.C. and the Police to implement the decision to the letter.

The Minister also assured the DCC of providing full protection for the villagers at Nildeniya.

Addressing the Ratnapura SSP, Prasanna Nanayakkara, the Minister briefed him on the urgency of the matter and gave him special orders, not to assist in any way, the entrepreneurs attempting to grab lands under any pretence. He ordered Mr. Nanayakkara to instruct and alert all relevant OICs of the area and enforce the unanimous decision of the DCC allaying fears of the villagers in Nildeniya and around.

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