Govt. MP accuses state of seizing people’s lands in N&E
Vanni District NPP lawmaker Thurairasa Ravikaran has alleged that the Forest Department functions like a “gang of thieves” engaged in the unlawful seizure of northern and eastern lands. Ravikaran alleged that only 222,006 acres of dense forest were under the Forest Department’s control in Mullaitivu in the past, whereas following the end of the war, […]
Vanni District NPP lawmaker Thurairasa Ravikaran has accused the Forest Department of illegally seizing lands from northern and eastern areas. During a meeting discussing land releases, he alleged that the department has expanded its control from 222,006 acres to 432,141 acres since the end of the war. Ravikaran claims the department, along with other government agencies, is actively occupying Tamil people's lands.
He urged Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe to take firm action against the department's aggressive activities, which include placing boundary markers on agricultural lands. Ravikaran questioned the department's actions, asking what farmers, who rely on those lands, are supposed to do if they are taken over. He also alleged that the department takes legal action against villagers for cutting small trees for agriculture, while complaints have been received of the department facilitating the destruction of large forest areas in exchange for bribes.
Ravikaran called on authorities to take action against the Forest Department's activities rather than just opposing it, describing the department as a "gang stealing people's lands" and urging the return of farmers' lands to enable them to cultivate and sustain their livelihoods.
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