Rs 770.5m as compensation for acquired lands

Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said the Treasury has allocated over Rs. 770.5 million to pay compensation and interest to lands acquired by the Government for resettlement and mega development schemes.

Over Rs 350 million has been spent to pay compensations for the lands acquired to resettle tsunami victims. Another Rs 4,250 million has been utilized to compensate the land owners who lost their lands due to mega development schemes carried out throughout the country, he said. The Minister said compensation paid in respect of the Colombo District's lands were high compared to other districts due to enhanced land value. Over Rs 124 million has been allocated for Colombo District.

Ampara was the second largest compensated district.

To resettle tsunami victims in Ampara the Government had spent over Rs 92.5 million so far.

He said Rs 48 million was spent in Galle, Rs 34 million for Hambantota and Rs 26.3 million for Kalutara districts.

He said that the Land Development Ministry has acquired these lands under the provisions of Land Acquisition Act No.28 of 1964. An accelerated land acquisition project will be launched to steer development projects throughout the country soon.