Letters to the editor

A vast stretch of paddy fields close to Parliament and right opposite the Central Environmental Authority has been recently recommended for acquisition, once again by the Ministry of Urban Development and Water Supply at the request of the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation.

This is the third time that the same land has been gazetted for acquisition for reasons best known to the officials. The first time was in August 1992 and the third was in June 2004.

They say the paddy lands are being acquired for water retaining purposes and the farmers have been deprived of cultivating their lands since 1992 due to the relevant authorities prohibiting their cultivation, greatly inconveniencing them.

These paddy fields have been retaining water for years unknown as water collected during the rainy season recedes in a day or two, sometimes destroying the cultivation. Thus we poor farmers bore the loss but they never tried to divert the water anywhere. It is ridiculous to acquire these lands for water retaining purposes, when that particular purpose is served by these lands, whether acquired or not.

As far as I know, under the Land Acquisition Act, a land has to be acquired after careful consideration and for a specific purpose. In this instance, both these conditions have been disregarded.

The reason given is not specific but ridiculous and no careful consideration has been paid because these lands were divested to the original poor farmers twice and reacquired again.

Also many lands from this field which were acquired earlier were divested and development was allowed. So why can’t our lands be divested for cultivation purposes only?

It was for the same purpose of retaining water that lands close to the Kotte bridge were acquired and we all know what befell them. They were sold to golf links and hotels etc for millions while the owners were only paid a meagre sum. Thus it is very clear what will happen to our lands.

We humbly request the President to intervene in this matter and bring solace to the poor famers by releasing this land to them for cultivation purposes only.

This acquisition for water retention purposes is a clear infringement of the principles enshrined in the Mahinda Chintanaya.