Shanakiyan raises concerns over water and land rights and illegal settlements

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has raised concerns over the Government’s Mahaweli development plans, including the proposed Kivul Oya Project, land allocation practices and the impact on traditional livelihoods in the Eastern Province.

The MP said the issues were discussed during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week, with the President assuring that steps would be taken to address longstanding concerns.

However, Rasamanickam said statements made in Parliament by the relevant Minister indicated that the Kivul Oya Project would proceed, requiring consultation with affected communities on land rights, livelihoods and demographic concerns.

“During discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, we held extensive discussions on the long-standing Mahaweli-related issues affecting the people of the Eastern Province. The President assured us that the Government would take the necessary steps to address these longstanding concerns.

However, during Parliamentary proceedings, the Minister stated that the Kivul Oya Project is not on hold and that the Government intends to proceed with its implementation. If the Government is to move forward with this project, it must first engage in meaningful consultation with the affected communities and address the long-standing concerns relating to land rights, livelihoods and demographic change.”

Rasamanickam said the issue extended beyond water distribution to the manner in which land was being allocated under the Mahaweli Scheme.

“To date, not a single drop of water has been supplied to the Northern and Eastern Provinces through the Mahaweli Authority. Yet, water has been provided under the Mahaweli Scheme to the districts of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. This reflects a discriminatory approach towards the people of the North and East.

The principal concern today is not merely water distribution, but the manner in which land is being allocated under the Mahaweli Scheme. The Hon. Minister stated in Parliament that no lands have been distributed. However, the former Manal Aru area was renamed ‘Weli Oya’, and planned settlements were established through the Mahaweli Authority. Today, infrastructure is being developed to provide water to those settlements.”

He alleged that the Mahaweli Authority’s objectives had moved beyond water management.

“This raises a fundamental concern that the Mahaweli Authority’s primary objective has not been equitable water distribution, but rather the establishment of settlements that alter the ethnic composition of these areas.”

The ITAK MP also raised concerns regarding the Mayilathamadu–Mathavanai area, where livestock farmers have been engaged in disputes over access to grazing lands.

“The Minister further stated that there is no place officially recorded as ‘Mayilathamadu.’ However, only this morning, cattle were reportedly killed in the Mayilathamadu–Mathavanai area. Furthermore, illegal settlements continue to be established on lands belonging to the Mahaweli Authority.

As a result, livestock farmers and dairy farmers in the area are increasingly being denied access to their traditional grazing lands, placing their livelihoods at serious risk.”

Rasamanickam said the Government had previously indicated that Mathavanai would be declared a designated grazing reserve but that no progress had been made.

“The Government had previously stated that Mathavanai would be declared a designated grazing reserve through a Gazette notification. However, the Minister’s response makes it clear that there has been no progress towards fulfilling that commitment. Indeed, the Minister confirmed that even the survey work for the area has yet to be completed.”

He warned that continued occupation of Mahaweli Authority lands could increase tensions between communities.

“At the same time, members of the majority community continue to occupy Mahaweli Authority lands illegally and establish new settlements. If this situation is allowed to continue unchecked, there is a serious risk of escalating tensions between traditional livestock farmers and the new settlers.

I therefore call upon the Government to intervene immediately to prevent further illegal settlements, protect the traditional grazing lands and livelihoods of the Mayilathamadu–Mathavanai livestock farmers, and uphold their rights. I also reiterate that any settlement programme that alters the ethnic demographic composition of the North and East is unacceptable and should not proceed.”