People's Tribunal on Paanama Land Grabbing will be held on 03rd October 2014

WYSIWYG editor

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Land Issues of Muslim Community in East

Sammanthuraipattru area was a 359 square mile land area until it was separated into two parts, named Wewagampttru and Sammanturaipattru. Two hundred sixty square miles of land area was given to 6585 Sinhala people, while only 99 square miles of land area was given to 40704 Tamil speaking people (Tamils and Muslims). Even now, boundary problems are going on between two Pradesiya Sabas.

At this time, 36% Sinhala people own 66% of the land area in Ampara District, while 34% Sinhala people own 70% of the land area in Trincomalee District.

Recently in this case, the Land Commissionaire of Eastern Provincial Council has given an advertisement regarding land provided for the people who are landless. The advertisement was published according to the decision based on the ministerial meeting which was held on 21st November, 2008.

This advertisement focused on the North and East Muslim people, as some requirements and rules were put forward. In the past 30 years, the minorities have faced many tribulations, due to the impacts of war, displacement by war, and evictions by marginalizing settlements. People who are unable to regain land after getting the favorable decision from the Court will be affected through this advertisement.

Kaththankudi, Ninthavoor, Sainthamaruthu, and Kalmunai are areas which do not have even a foot of government land. This area, which is predominantly a Muslim population, will be marginalized indirectly through this plan. The people who are living as joint families and are following the religious and cultural norms will also be affected, therefore, the increased rules and regulations, which were stated in the advertisement, will be a big question mark for the Muslim community.

Source: Veerakesary dated 29th November, 2008

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