News
Filling of paddy lands to be halted immediately
According to a directive issued by the Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development, applications for filling paddy land would not be entertained in the future.
The Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Services M.A.S.Weerasinghe has by letter dated November 3, informed all District Deputy Commissioners of Agrarian Services to stop all procedures for the filling of paddy lands.
His letter adds that applications for filling paddy lands should not be accepted.
The Commissioner in his letter states Minister of Agriculture, Duminda Dissanayake had gone beyond the directive issued by the President’s office earlier this year in regard to the filling of paddy lands in the western province.
He ordered all such action be put on hold and action be taken to ensure no changes be made to the classification of such lands.
The Commissioner General has ordered that files on the subject be closed and stored.
The directive adds, provincial offices should not entertain applications for filling paddy land, and adds such applications should not be forwarded to the Department.
The directive says applications which are already with the department in Colombo would be decided in the future and applicants be notified of the changed situation.