Muslim civil society demand Govt to withdraw gazette notification

Civil Society Coalition for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) today urged the government to withdraw the Gazette notification No. 2011/34 signed by the President declaring four forest areas north of Wilpattu Sanctuary as forest reserves while on a tour of Russia last week.

N.M.Ameen, President Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said that traditional lands owned by many Muslim families in Marichchukatti, Palakuli and Kardikuli were declared as forest lands in the recent gazette notification.

"Many families living in those areas have land title deeds and permits. In addition some mosques also included in the area. This is a arbitrary move without consulting the District Secretariat or respective Divisional Secretaries in Mannar," he said.

Meanwhile the  President Media Unit said today that some interested parties with personal or political agendas carry out disinformation campaign and falsely state that the Muslim religious places, villages and houses would be acceded to the Government and the Wildlife Department under the said Gazette Notification.

"These forests have been declared as Reserves under the Gazette in order to protect the forest areas adjacent to the areas released for the people as settlements to further ensure their security. None of the Muslim religious places, villages or houses in which the people live and have legal rights would be acceded to the Government."a statement from the Secretariat said.