Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilake requested the Government to formulate a National Land Policy to solve the issues related to lands, in Parliament yesterday.
He also said the cause of most of the issues related to lands of the people is the complex and intricate land rules and regulations formulated and introduced a long time ago. He added that this is the time to amend them enabling them to solve those issues within a short period. He added that if this government takes measures to formulate a National Land Policy and to amend laws pertaining to lands the Opposition would support the Government without any hesitation.
MP Karunathilake also pointed out that if this National Policy is not formulated the government would not be able to implement its Sustainable Environment Policy as envisaged in the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor National Policy Statement.
He made these observations joining the Committee Stage debate on the financial heads of Fisheries Ministry, Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi Day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports State Ministry, Plantation Ministry,
Company Estate Reforms, Tea and Rubber Estates Related Crops Cultivation and Factories Modernization and Tea and Rubber Export Promotion State Ministry, Coconut, Kithul and Palmyra Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversification State Ministry, Development of Minor Crops including Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Related Industries and Export Promotion State Ministry, Land Ministry, Land Management, State Enterprises Land and Property Development State Ministry under the Budget Proposal for Financial year 2021.
He also said that the Land Reclamation Commission (LRC) has no clear understanding on the lands that come under their ambit and the lands have not been properly demarcated. He added that under this situation it has to go before law with other government institutions wasting much of government funds. He requested the Government to solve these issues.
Karunathilake also demanded the government pay the Rs 1000 day’s pay to the Estate Sector employees. He said it was not sufficient for the Government to instruct the Estate Sector to make the payment but should work to make it a reality.
He said that the Tea production has dropped in the country. If the government does not take measures to develop the industry the countries which are now behind Sri Lanka would surpass and catch the market. He added that the small scale tea estate owners should be encouraged.