May 03, Colombo (LNW): During a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ yesterday, State Minister for Plantation Industries and Mahaweli Development, Lohan Ratwatte, reiterated the firm stance of the Mahaweli Authority against any illegal activities on its land.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Mahaweli Authority in contributing to Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, State Minister Ratwatte emphasized that the Ministry oversees key agricultural products such as tea, rubber, coconut, and minor export crops. He underscored the authority’s oversight of 10 major dams crucial for electricity generation, stating that effective utilization of these resources could potentially lead to agricultural self-sufficiency.
Under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ratwatte mentioned the consolidation of the Ministries of Agriculture and Plantation Industries into a unified entity, aimed at enhancing efficiency in advancing the agricultural sector. He also noted the ongoing agricultural modernization program.
Addressing challenges related to land ownership under the Mahaweli Development Authority, Ratwatte outlined efforts to resolve these issues alongside the implementation of the ‘Urumaya’ program. This initiative, guided by President Wickremesinghe, aims to provide free land titles to individuals lacking them, with approximately 25,000 freehold deeds already issued. Ratwatte announced plans to distribute an additional 6,000 freehold deeds in the Polonnaruwa district by the week’s end.
Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities on Mahaweli Authority lands, Ratwatte reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the integrity of its properties.
