Compensation to be paid for lands assigned for Hambantota Port Development Project; Arjuna

Steps have been taken to render fair amount of compensations for the land owners who lost their lands due to the Hambantota Port development project based on the valuation of the land area, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga said today. "In addition to that all possible steps will be taken to enhance the living conditions of the entrepreneurs who lost their lands and businesses due to Hambantota Port development project,"

Minister Ranathunga said that government has allocated two billion rupees to pay compensations to the community who provided lands to the Hambantota Port development project. He also advised ministry officials said. 

Speaking at a progress meeting held at the ministry of Ports and Shipping today at the Ministry, Minister Ranathunga instructed officials that these funds should be handled with transparency. Secretary of the ministry Mr. L.P. Jayampathy and several other representatives from the government took part in this event.

First two initial stages of the Hambantota Port project has been completed.1115 hectares of lands were assigned regarding the initial stage of this development project. 463 land portions were included in that. 

"We have provided lands for the landlords who provided lands for the fundamental stage of this project. Compensations were paid for these lands related to initial stage based on the estimated value of the land portions. 511 million rupees had been provided by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to carry out these payments." he noted.

The Treasury provided two billion rupees to the Ministry to render compensations for the lands assigned in the second stage of the Hambantota Port development project due to the reason Sri Lanka Ports Authority [SLPA] had faced financial difficulties to provide these funds. These funds were allocated from the treasury in accordance with a cabinet paper presented by the Minister Arjuna Ranathunga.

“Through these funds allocated from the treasury we have paid compensations for 237 land portions which were assigned to Hambantota Port development project by considering the valuation of the land area. Seventy five percent of the estimated value was paid for another 129 land portions. For these payments we have spent 892532701 rupees and 15 cents. Balance of this amount will be paid for these land owners in the near future. In addition to that we will enhance roads to access these lands and water and electricity will be provided for these lands which were given by us.” he said.