PEOPLE LIVING IN WILPATTU SHOULD GET LAND BACK: PM

He also said the issue was raised by several groups of people saying the Wilpattu Forest was being destroyed by these homeless people.

The Premier said Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen played an important role in forming the Good Governance Government.

“Minister Bathiudeen strives hard to develop and build the Musali area.after you all were evicted by the LTTE, your native place in Musali and Silavathurai was abandoned and it became a forest.your fertile farmland became a forest. Land in villages became the property of the Forest Department. People living in these areas should get their lands back,” Premier Wickremesinghe said.

“Minister Bathiudeen attempted to find a

After you all were evicted by the LTTE, your native place in Musali and Silavathurai was abandoned and it became a forest.

permanent solution to this problem by filing a case in the court of law. Court will give a verdict. Farmland and other lands would be returned to carry out normal farming activities freely and happily in the area. “The Government will take steps to resettle people chased out of Silavathurai then. Silavathurai city will be rebuilt, for which additional land is required. We will hold a discussion with the Navy stationed there. Minister Bathiudeen is taking steps to upgrade and develop Silavathurai Hospital and to establish an Industrial Zone in Kondachchi,” Premier Wickremesinghe said. He said steps would be taken to promote tourism, upgrade fishing and establish a technical college in Mannar. He said the Government had decided to hold the National Milad-un-nabi celebrations of the year in Musali.