Crisis over Wilpattu land: President orders probe

President Maithiripala Sirisena yesterday ordered an inquiry into the alleged illegal acquisition of state land in the Wlpattu area by persons backed by Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

The inquiry was ordered after the JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake telephoned the President to complain that there were allegations about destruction of the forest by people encroaching into the area.

JVP Provincial Council member K.D. Lalkantha told the Sunday Times that the President had given an assurance to the party leader that an inquiry would be held. Mr Lalkantha, accompanied by party trade union member Wasantha Samarasinghe, also visited the area yesterday.

The President also gave orders to stop any illegal acquisition of land, clearing of forests around the Wilpattu, Mannar and

Vavuniya areas, a statement from the President's office said.

It said that President had ordered authorities to take action against persons illegally clearing or acquiring lands.

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of people have been returning to the Wilpattu area on the grounds that they were original holders of the land, but had been displaced due to the fighting earlier.

Their claims have been disputed as some of the areas where they were returning to were demarcated as lands under the Wildlife Department and that encroachment into these areas was an offence.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Environment, Vajira Narampanawa, Forest Conservation Department officials, Archeological Department officials and District Secretary M.Y.S. Deshapriya visited the Musali division to inspect the area where the alleged encroachment is taking place.

Minister Bathiudeen also visited the area and denied he was helping persons to encroach and acquire land in the area.

The minister told a media conference that the people who were returning were legally entitled to the lands.